Hypertension and low bone density – is there a link?

This study investigated if hypertension is associated with changes in bone mineral density.

They found that hypertension is associated with reduced bone mineral density in different bones and the reduction is inconsistent between populations.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be associated with other diseases including heart disease and diabetes. It has also been linked to osteoporosis, which causes bones to fracture easily.

Some studies suggest that patients with hypertension may have low bone mineral density (BMD). Bones are made of the mineral calcium, and the level of calcium decreases and bones become more fragile with age. Patients with osteoporosis also have low bone density.

This study investigated whether there is a link between hypertension and low bone density.

This study reviewed results from 17 clinical trials including 39,491 patients. Approximately one third of patients had hypertension.  The BMD of several bones was analyzed from all patients. These bones include the lumbar spine (lower back) and the femoral neck (top of the femur bone, near the hip joint).

Asian patients with hypertension had a significantly reduced BMD in the lumbar spine, however non-Asian patients did not. Hypertension was also associated with a reduced BMD in the femoral neck in all populations studied.

This study concluded that hypertension is associated with reduced bone mineral density in different bones and the reduction is inconsistent between populations.

13 of the 17 clinical trials were performed in China. This may explain why no differences were seen in non-Asian populations. An association between hypertension and low BMD does not mean that hypertension causes low BMD.

If you have any concerns regarding hypertension and bone mass density, please discuss with your physician.