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Both orthostatic hypotension (OH) and abnormal gait predispose older adults to falling. In this study, researchers examined whether OH and abnormal gait were associated in 4300 community-dwelling patients (mean age, 62) who had participated in an aging study in Ireland; 18% had OH (blood pressure drop of ≥20 mm Hg systolic or ≥10 mm Hg diastolic, at 30 seconds after moving from lying to standing). A computerized walking mat with pressure sensors allowed researchers to analyze participants' gait speed and coordination.
In analyses adjusted for numerous demographic and clinical variables, participants with OH had significantly slower mean gait speed and shorter mean step length than participants without OH. In addition, those with OH had signi…