Male heart attack survivors more at risk of osteoporosis

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study of men in the USA shows that heart disease predisposes to bone loss and osteoporosis in later life.
It has long been known that heart disease and osteoporosis have similar risk factors, like smoking and poor diet. Now a team at Tulane University has uncovered a significant link between the two diseases.

They analyzed data from over 5,000 men and women in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, between 1988 and 1994. They found that men who had had a heart attack were prone to bone density loss. What is more, smoking, lack of physical activity. and being overweight also predicted bone loss. Osteoporosis is often thought of as a women's disease. This study underlines the risk to men. There may be a case for offering a bone density screen to men after a heart attack. If they are found to be at risk of osteoporosis, then they can be helped with medication and lifestyle advice so they can avoid a disabling bone fracture.

Source
Tulane University 20th February 2006

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