Posted on 10 September 2022

Does high blood pressure cause osteoporosis?

We can now add high blood pressure to the causes of osteoporosis, scientists say. A new study has found that high blood pressure can prematurely age bones, leading to osteoporosis.

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that can cause strokes and heart attacks. We can add osteoporosis to that list now, too.

Scientists at a recent American Heart Association meeting heard how trials in mice found that mice with hypertension – the medical term for high blood pressure – had weaker bones.

High blood pressure had the effect of ageing bones, making the mice more likely to develop bone diseases, including osteoporosis.

They found that mice with high blood pressure lost an incredible 24% of bone mass during the short trial. Their bones could not withstand force, meaning they were likelier to break.

“Being hypertensive at a younger age essentially aged bones as if they were 15-25 human years older,” said lead study author Elizabeth Maria Hennen, a Ph.D.-candidate in biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Millions of people worldwide live with osteoporosis and high blood pressure. There’s increasing evidence that the two conditions are linked.

It’s not the first time that scientists have suggested a link. A 2021 study found that post-menopausal women with high blood pressure were more likely to have osteoporosis.

It’s caused by an increase in immune cells, says Hennen. “More pro-inflammatory immune cells in the bone marrow may be leading to damage of the bone and making it weaker.”

The scientists found that high blood pressure changes the bone remodelling process. Instead of building new bones, it reduces the density of bones – causing osteoporosis.

So, will everyone with high blood pressure get osteoporosis?

Thankfully, it’s not quite that simple. The study was small and was performed on mice, not people. The authors of the research say that more work will need to be done on humans to understand if high blood pressure has the same impact on our bones.

High blood pressure and osteoporosis are serious health conditions, and you should do everything possible to avoid them.

The good news is that you can improve the health of your body and bones by making lifestyle changes, including:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting enough exercise
• Stopping smoking
• Cutting down on alcohol
• Ensure your body gets the vitamins and minerals needed to stay healthy.

We can’t help you with the first four, but we can help you get all the vitamins and minerals you need. At Stronger Bones, we stock a huge selection of high-quality supplements from leading brands, including Vitabiotics, Solgar, BetterYou, and Higher Nature.

In our shop, you’ll always find an incredible range of bone and joint health supplements, including calcium supplements, vitamin D supplements, and more.

We’re always trying to lower prices and offer free UK delivery when you spend over £25.

If you’re worried about your health, speak to a doctor. This article isn’t medical advice; you should always get professional advice before making changes to your lifestyle and taking supplements.

You can read the press release from the American Heart Association here.