Heart Health Current Topics in Heart Health

Men who have a heart attack are at risk for osteoporosis


While smoking, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition are risk factors for both heart attack and osteoporosis, researchers have found for the first time that men who survive a heart attack are at an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life. Looking at the data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers noted that a significant number of men who reported having a heart attack also had low bone mass, an indicator of osteoporosis. This link was not present in women, who are more likely to suffer from the brittle bones associated with osteoporosis. Based on these results, the study authors recommend that all men who survive heart attacks be screened for bone loss to help prevent the debilitating effects of osteoporosis.