Researchers have found that altered blood flow in the brain, caused by high blood pressure and other conditions, significantly increases the risk of falls in elderly people. Farzaneh A Sorond, MD, PhD, and colleagues studied 419 men and women aged 65 and over. Participants were given an ultrasound to measure brain blood flow response to carbon dioxide levels, a standard test of blood vessel function in the brain. Results showed that the 20% of participants who had the smallest blood flow changes in the brain had a 70% higher risk of falling compared to the 20% of participants who had the largest blood flow changes in the brain. "Our findings suggest there could be a new strategy for preventing falls, such as daily exercise and treatments for high blood pressure, since blood pressure affects blood flow in the brain and may cause falls," said Sorond.