Coronary heart disease seems to increase the risk of osteoporosis, according to research from the University of Southampton.

Researchers used “state-of-the-art” imaging (high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography) to visualise multiple cross sections of the wrist bone of 184 men and 166 women aged 71.5 to 80.5 years. On average, the 75 people with ischaemic heart disease had substantially lower bone mineral density in their wrist bone (distal radius) than those without. The effect was especially marked in women.

The authors comment that the reduction in bone mineral density probably reflects a larger number of bone remodelling sites (pores) in people with heart disease. This may predispose to bone fragility and fracture. “This is one of the first studies to use this technology to explore bone geometry, density and microstructure in patients with heart disease,” said Cyrus Cooper, director of the MRC Lifecourse epidemiology unit and professor of rheumatology at the University of Southampton.

“The findings highlight the need to evaluate a history of heart disease in the management of osteoporosis in older people and further research is also needed to provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms which explain the link between osteoporosis and heart disease.” (Osteoporos Int DOI: 10.1007/s00198-015-3132-z)