Preventing and Managing Falls in Adults With Cardiovascular Disease
Published: May 19, 2022
![Figure. Approach to preventing and managing falls among adults with CVD. To decrease the risk of falls, it is important to identify risk factors (both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular) and select appropriate possible interventions. *Includes low cardiac index, blood flow obstruction, vasodilation, or acute dissection. CVD indicates cardiovascular disease.](/-/media/PHD-Images/Science-News/Figures/figure_1_falls_in_adults_with_cvd.jpg?h=343&iar=0&mh=515&mw=515&w=515)
- Falls and fear of falling are a major health issue and associated with high injury rates, high medical care costs, and significant negative impact on the quality of life.
- This statement provides consensus on the interdisciplinary evaluation, prevention, and management of falls among adults with CVD, the management of CV care when patients are at risk of falling, outlines research needed to clarify prevalence and factors associated with falls and identifies interventions that will prevent falls among adults with CVD.
- Strategies to address falls must include close collaboration with the patient and their support network of family and friends.
Recommended Reading
- 2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults
- 2017 Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Patients With Syncope
- 2017 Prioritizing Functional Capacity as a Principal End Point for Therapies Oriented to Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease
- 2016 Knowledge Gaps in Cardiovascular Care of the Older Adult Population
- 2014 Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation