UK researchers have questioned the conventional view that antihypertensives increase the risk of falls after a systematic review showed no clear evidence of such an association.

A leading Australian renal physician, however, says although the findings appear reassuring, it’s important to keep potential harms in mind when prescribing blood pressure-lowering therapy, particular in the frail elderly.

Professor Markus Schlaich, from the University of Western Australia, told Australian Doctor that the prevailing belief that antihypertensives increase the risk of falls in adults “may be logical but not necessarily supported by adequate data”.

“It is important to inform doctors, particularly GPs who are the forefront of dealing with patients with hypertension, and perhaps reduce the concerns they may have about antihypertensive treatment and falls,” he said.