A recent study has raised concerns about starting blood pressure medications in older adults living in nursing homes.
The research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that these medications may increase the risk of falls and bone fractures among elderly residents.
The study was led by Dr. Chintan V. Dave and his team at Rutgers University. They looked at the health records of nearly 30,000 older veterans who lived in long-term care homes within the Veterans Health Administration.
The researchers used a method called “target trial emulation” to analyze the data, which is designed to closely follow how a real clinical trial would work.
Their findings showed that residents who began taking blood pressure medications had a much higher rate of fractures—5.4 fractures per 100 person-years—compared to just 2.2 in those who did not start the medicine. This means the risk of fractures more than doubled.
The risk of serious falls that led to hospital or emergency room visits also went up in people who started the medications. In addition, those residents had a higher chance of fainting. These effects are especially concerning because they can lead to serious injuries and long-term health problems in elderly patients.
Some groups of residents were at even higher risk. Those with dementia, those with higher blood pressure before starting treatment (above 140/80 mm Hg), and those who hadn’t recently used blood pressure medication were more likely to have fractures. In these groups, the risk was more than three to four times higher.
These results highlight the importance of being careful when giving blood pressure medications to older adults in nursing homes. Doctors and caregivers should closely monitor these patients, especially in the first few months after starting treatment. The risks of falls and fractures must be weighed against the benefits of lowering blood pressure.
This study is a strong reminder that treating high blood pressure in older people—especially those who are frail—needs a personal approach. Not everyone will benefit from the same treatment, and some may face serious side effects.
For anyone interested in learning more about managing blood pressure, it’s also worth reading studies about the role of potassium-rich diets, the effect of vitamins, and heart-friendly foods like potatoes. These options might offer safer ways to support heart health in older adults.
This new research provides valuable information to help healthcare providers make better decisions and improve the safety and quality of care for elderly people in long-term care facilities.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about Intensive blood pressure treatment for older adults may harm heart and kidneys and What you should know about high blood pressure medications.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about High blood pressure and marijuana: a risky combination and Common blood pressure drug may not prevent heart attack effectively.
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