Elderly people who have recurrent, unexplained falls may be suffering from an undiagnosed heart condition, research suggests.

A study by a team from Newcastle University suggests that one in four people who have an unexplained fall may have a condition called carotid sinus syndrome (CSS).

If these patients were fitted with a pacemaker, the researchers estimate that up to 70% of falls could be prevented.

Falls are the sixth leading cause of death in older adults. Often they are attributed to old age, weak joints or other causes.

But the Newcastle research suggests doctors may be over-looking the real cause.

Low heart rate

Elderly people with CSS have extremely low heart rates and abnormally low blood pressure. This makes them vulnerable to fainting.

Those who are most at risk have a form of the condition known as cardioinhibitory CSS.

Their heart will stop beating if pressure is applied or sensed near the carotid artery in the neck.

Part of the problem is that the condition causes amnesia, so a sufferer will not remember blacking out prior to falling.

CSS can be effectively treated by fitting a pacemaker to ensure that when the patient's heart rate beings to drop, it is stimulated back up to a healthy level.

Reduces falls

Lead researcher Professor Rose Anne Kenny said: "This study clearly shows that for patients with non-accidental falls and cardioinhibitory CSS, cardiac pacing significantly reduces subsequent falls."

Professor Kenny said that all elderly patients who had suffered an unexplained fall should be screened for cardioinhibitory CSS by a geriatrician.

At present, many of these patients receive no specialist attention.

A spokesman for the British Heart Foundation told BBC News Online: "A pacemaker may well help some people who have this condition, but it is important to remember that there are quite a lot of different reasons why an elderly person may have a fall."

Falls among older people are the most common single reason for visits to physicians and emergency departments in the UK.

It is estimated that 30% of people over the age of 65 will experience falls or fainting each year. Some 15% of these falls remain unexplained.

The research is published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).