• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
emtspot logo

TheEMTSpot

Your Blood Pressure Specialist

  • Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Chart
    • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
      • Symptoms
      • Causes
      • Diagnosis And Tests
      • Treatment
      • Prevention
    • Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
    • How To Check Blood Pressure
    • How To Lower Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Medications
  • Readings
    • Severe Hypotension
    • Hypotension
    • Normal BP
    • Pre-Hypertension
    • Stage 1 Hypertension
    • Stage 2 Hypertension
    • Hypertensive Crisis
  • Supplements
    • Best Blood Pressure Supplements
    • Blood Pressure Support Review
    • Blood Pressure Optimizer Review
    • Corsanum Review
  • Monitors
    • Best Blood Pressure Monitors
    • Oxiline Pressure X Pro Review
    • CheckMe BP2 Review
    • QardioArm Review
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Videos
  • News
  • Search
Home » Blood Pressure

Can High Blood Pressure Catalyze Osteoporosis?

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD | Fact checked by Robin Backlund, BHSc
Last update: May 9, 2023

If you have high blood pressure and inflammation, read on to learn how to take informed care of your bone health.

high blood pressure osteoporosis

Quick Summary

  • Various studies suggest that high blood pressure may increase the onset of osteoporosis by increasing the body’s inflammatory response and altering the blood supply to the bones.
  • Osteoporosis commonly occurs in postmenopausal women and is highly correlated with high blood pressure.
  • Understanding how high blood pressure can induce osteoporosis can help young adults take better care of their bone health and encourage lifestyle changes that may prevent future bone loss.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease. It results in lower bone strength and risks of fracture.

The condition most commonly occurs in menopausal women and is known to affect the:

  • Hip bone
  • Vertebrae
  • Spine
  • Wrists

The onset of osteoporosis can begin at any age, and primarily Asian and non-Hispanic white women and non-Hispanic white men develop this condition. However, according to the WHO, osteoporosis usually begins around 50 years in women. In men, the average age is 70 years or older.

The American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Session’s 2022 study concluded that high blood pressure seemed to accelerate the onset of osteoporosis and bone aging in mice.

In this article hide
1. Osteoporosis and High Blood Pressure
2. The Danger of High Blood Pressure
3. Managing High Blood Pressure and Osteoporosis
4. Conclusion

Osteoporosis and High Blood Pressure

The study mentioned above was conducted on 45 mice which were divided into the following groups:

Group

Number of Mice

Age Group

Condition

1

12

Young

Induced high blood pressure with hormone angiotensin II over six weeks

2

11

Old

Induced high blood pressure with hormone angiotensin II over six weeks

3

13

Young

Not induced

4

9

Old

Not induced

For standardization, the human age equivalent for young mice was 20 to 30 years, and the human equivalent for older mice was 47 to 50 years.

At the end of the study, the young mice that were in the induced high blood pressure category showed the following:

  • Reduced bone volume by 24%.
  • An 18% reduction in the thickness of trabecular bone (a sponge-like material) at the end of long bones like femurs and spinal columns.
  • Reduction in the bones’ ability, by 34%, to withstand force, weakened bones, and increased fractures due to failure force.

In comparison, the older mice with induced high blood pressure did not display a significant deterioration in bone health. In short, the younger mice showed dire symptoms.

Elizabeth Hennen from Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, reported that “..being hypertensive at a younger age essentially aged bones as if they were 25 years older. Old mice will experience bone loss whether they are hypertensive or not.”

In short, hypertension and increased blood pressure at a younger age can trigger age-related bone loss much earlier.

Scientists also observed that in this condition, inflammation-signaling molecules induced high inflammation levels in young hypertensive mice.

From this study, it can be concluded:

  • High blood pressure is an inflammatory disease.
  • In addition, high blood pressure and aging activate cells that are implicated in osteoporosis.
  • Therefore, those with osteoporosis must be screened for high blood pressure and vice versa.

The Danger of High Blood Pressure

There are various reasons why blood pressure may exacerbate osteoporosis. Dr. Ragavendara Baliga, from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, stated that high blood pressure could alter the blood supply to bone marrow and bones, triggering an inflammatory response.

Dr. Baliga also concluded that medicines to lower blood pressure also significantly reduced the risk of fractures.

Dr. Rigved from Providence Saint John’s Health Center, California, stated that younger mice had a lower inflammatory burden that spikes when hypertension occurs. This may occur because of the inflammatory overload, as the young mice were not exposed to such significant inflammation. The result is declining bone health and bone loss.

A Chinese study involving over 2,000 postmenopausal women concluded that hypertension was correlated with osteoporosis. According to another study conducted in 2021, women with osteoporosis had an increased prevalence of high blood pressure.

Likewise, a 2020 study discovered that hypertensive conditions affect bone marrow density in patients, which concludes a significant relationship between high blood pressure and the onset of osteoporosis.

In short, high blood pressure can trigger osteoporosis by disrupting the body’s regular functions, like blood supply, which results in weakened bones, lower bone density, and other bone-related problems that require immediate medical intervention.

Managing High Blood Pressure and Osteoporosis

Hypertension is a distressing condition. Osteoporosis is also an equally tricky condition. Many individuals juggle both comorbidities together.

However, experts suggest the following ways to control the onset of osteoporosis:

  • Exercising regularly.
  • Performing weight-bearing exercises like walking and strength training.
  • Consuming alcohol in limited quantity.
  • Avoiding nicotine and tobacco products.
  • Eating a nutritious diet that is rich in calcium and Vitamin D.
  • Taking your prescribed osteoporosis medication regularly and on schedule.

Monitoring blood pressure is also highly recommended. Individuals with hypertension and osteoporosis must regulate or lower their blood pressure.

This can be achieved by:

  • Regularly monitoring blood pressure.
  • Making lifestyle changes like exercising and consuming a nutrient-dense diet.
  • Reducing salt intake.
  • Increasing physical activity.
  • Following a healthy sleep schedule.
  • Controlling stressors.

If you suspect the onset of osteoporosis and high blood pressure, you must contact your physician immediately and schedule a screening.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a complex condition. It is commonly found alongside comorbidities like kidney issues, diabetes, thyroid problems, and obesity. However, recent research suggests it may also be a crucial indicator of bone health.

Experts suggest using a combination of physician-prescribed medication and lifestyle modifications to lower blood pressure and regulate it to avoid problems like bone health decline and fractures.

If you suspect your blood pressure spikes are unusual, contact your physician immediately and incorporate healthy lifestyle changes to avoid further worsening your health condition.

References

Bellantoni, M. F. “Osteoporosis Information.” Johns Hopkins Arthiritis Center. https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-info/osteoporosis-info

Shimizu, H et al. “Angiotensin II accelerates osteoporosis by activating osteoclasts.” The FASEB Journal 22.7 (2008): 2465-2475. https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1096/fj.07-098954

Chai, H et al. “Hypertension is associated with osteoporosis: a case-control study in Chinese postmenopausal women.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 22 (2021). https://rdcu.be/c0ZAA

Ye, Z., Lu, H. and Liu, P. “Association between essential hypertension and bone mineral density: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Oncotarget Open Access Impact Journal 8.40 (2017): 68916–68927. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5620307/

“High blood pressure may accelerate bone aging.” Heart.org (2022). https://newsroom.heart.org/news/high-blood-pressure-may-accelerate-bone-aging

Shukla, D. “High blood pressure linked to bone loss and aging, mouse study finds.” Medical News Today (2022). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-blood-pressure-linked-to-bone-loss-aging-in-young-mice

Claim A FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

About Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

Michael Rotman is a Structural Heart Specialist, Interventional Cardiologist and Scientist. He has more than a decade of experience in treating heart related desease, as well as authoring and reviewing health and wellness-related content. Currently work for a St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

You May Also Like

inspiratory breath training device high blood pressure
Can Inspiratory Breath Training Devices Manage High Blood Pressure?
high blood pressure symptoms in female
What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Women?
essential oils for high blood pressure
Can You Use Essential Oils For High Blood Pressure?
different blood pressure on each arm
Can Blood Pressure Be Different In Each Arm?

You May Also Like

inspiratory breath training device high blood pressure
Can Inspiratory Breath Training Devices Manage High Blood Pressure?
high blood pressure symptoms in female
What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Women?
essential oils for high blood pressure
Can You Use Essential Oils For High Blood Pressure?
different blood pressure on each arm
Can Blood Pressure Be Different In Each Arm?

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Footer

Categories

  • Blood Pressure
  • Readings
  • Monitors
  • Supplements
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • News

Site Navigation

  • EMT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Useful Links

  • Advertize With Us
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Affiliate Disclosure

emtspot logo

Heart care is a top priority in today’s medical world, and TheEMTSpot will be your one-stop solution for all queries you have. Dive in now!

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · TheEMTSpot.com

Fact checked by Robin Backlund, BHSc

robin backlundRobin Backlund is a dedicated journalist and a medical student who has written several articles and essays exposing the falseness and hollowness of online resources in the medical science niche.

Note:

All TheEMTSpot’s content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure that it is as accurate as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to other reputable media sites, educational institutions, and, whenever possible, peer-reviewed studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact us.

x
blood pressure log newsletter back
DON'T MISS OUT!
Discover A Healthier You With Our FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!
x
blood pressure log newsletter back
DON'T MISS OUT!
Discover A Healthier You With Our FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!