Cardiovascular drugs and falls

Medications are a major and modifiable risk factor for falls. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined the associations between cardiovascular medications and fall risk in older adults.131 studies were included, revealing increased risk with loop diuretics, OR 1.36 (1.17 – 1.57), and decreased risk with beta-blocking agents, OR 0.88 (0.80 – 0.97) and statins OR 0.80 (0.65 – 0.98). Specific drug properties, such as selectivity of beta-blockers, may affect fall risk, and drug-disease interaction also may play a role. The original study can be viewed here