Bone density risk factor for heart failure

Low bone density increases the risk of heart failure

01/09/2014

A low bone density is not only associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, but the sufferers also suffer more heart failure, explains the German Society of Cardiology in its press release on the occasion of the European Cardiology Congress (ESC) in Barcelona.

The German-British study, which has now been presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in Barcelona, ​​has shown that people with a low bone density and thus an increased risk of osteoporosis at the same time one, according to the German Cardiac Society are at increased risk of developing heart failure. This makes it clear that osteoporosis patients and other patients with low bone density should also be aware of the risk of heart disease in the future.

Relationship between bone density and heart health
Together with British researchers from the University of Cambridge, the Cologne scientists "analyzed the data of a total of 13,666 apparently healthy people between 42 and 82 years from the prospective EPIC-Norfolk study," reports the German Society of Cardiology. In an observation period of 9.3 years on average, 380 cases of heart failure had occurred. "It showed that the risk of heart failure decreased with higher bone density values ​​- by 23 per cent per increase in bone density by one SD (standard deviation)", continues the statement of the German Society of Cardiology. Accordingly, a significant correlation can be assumed here.

Check patients with low bone density for heart failure
The researchers found, according to the study author Dr. Roman Pfister, Associate Professor of the Heart Center of the University of Cologne, a clear "link between a low bone density and the risk of heart failure in apparently healthy people." The study results would support the considerations that patients with low bone density values ​​in the future also on heart disease should be investigated, explained the Cologne researchers. Furthermore, the biological mechanisms that may underlie both osteoporosis and cardiac insufficiency should be further explored, the expert emphasized. In some cases, new treatment approaches could arise in the future, which can be used to combat osteoporosis as well as heart disease. (Fp)