Khaberni - A recent study has revealed an unexpected relationship between heart health and the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women, potentially opening the door to the use of heart assessment tools for predicting bone problems.
According to research published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, increased risk of heart disease is associated with a significant increase in fracture risk, particularly hip fractures.
Researchers from Tulane University relied on data from over 21,000 women as part of the Women's Health Initiative, using the PREVENT scale to estimate the risk of heart disease over 10 years, then compared the results with fracture rates.
The findings showed that women in the highest risk category for heart disease were up to 93% more likely to suffer hip fractures compared to those at low risk. The risk increased by 33% among the moderate-risk group. The risk wasn't limited to the hip, but also included fractures of the spine, forearm, and shoulder.
The study suggests that the relationship may be due to common factors such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and calcium regulation disorders, in addition to poor blood flow to the bones due to arterial sclerosis. The decrease in estrogen hormone after menopause also plays a dual role in increasing the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
Interestingly, women under the age of 65 showed a stronger association between the two risks compared to older women, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
The data also showed that women with higher cardiac risk suffered fractures earlier, with the average time for hip fracture occurrence being about 15 years, compared to about 20 years for those at lower risk.
Clinical implications and study limitations
Researchers believe that the PREVENT index may help identify women who need bone density screenings or specialized follow-up, especially with treatments available that reduce fracture risk. However, they assert that the results show a statistical correlation and do not prove a direct causal relationship, indicating the need for further studies before this index can be adopted as a standard assessment tool.
Despite this, the results reinforce the notion that heart and bone health are interconnected, and that prevention of heart diseases may provide additional benefits in reducing fracture risk, especially in postmenopausal women.
