Women With Thinning Bones May Have Increased Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

After menopause, many women experience thinning and weakening bones and an increase in the risk of bone fracture. A recent study suggests that women with thinning/weakened bones may also have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. 

Participants in the study included 12,681 women with an average age of 63. They were screened for osteoporosis using a DXA scan. They were followed for an average of 9 years, and all incidences of heart attack and stroke were recorded.

The researchers found that thinning/weakened bones were associated with a 16% higher risk of heart attack. It was also associated with a 38% increased risk of stroke. In addition, a formal diagnosis of osteoporosis was associated with a 79% increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These results held even after considering age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a previous bone break.

The study was conducted by researchers from Seoul National University. It was published on May 1, 2021 in the journal Heart.