Blood pressure drugs associated with fall risk
"These drugs do, after all, lower blood pressure, which could cause people to be lightheaded and even faint when suddenly standing after sitting. There is no question that treating blood pressure leads to reductions in the risk for stroke and heart disease, so if you feel lightheaded when standing, don't stop your medications. But tell your doctor about it, and exercise caution when standing up suddenly," says Dr. Thomas Lee, a cardiologist and internist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Source matters. Subscribe to HarvardHealthOnline+ FREE for 30 days for unlimited access to the site – where all content is reviewed by an HMS physician or faculty expert.
With HHO+ you get these exclusive benefits:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
SPECIAL OFFER! UNLOCK EXPERT ACCESS for 30 days FREE!
Already a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
