Heart failure may increase osteoporosis risk

Individuals who are being treated for heart failure may benefit from talking to their doctor about a prescription to buy Fosamax, as a new study has shown that the cardiovascular condition should be considered a major risk factor for osteoporosis.

Researchers from the University of Alberta tracked the medical records of more than 45,000 individuals who underwent bone mineral density testing for up to 10 years. The results showed that 30 percent of the participants who developed heart failure during this time also experienced a fracture due to weakened bones.

"Our study demonstrates for the first time that heart failure and thinning of bones go hand in hand," said Sumit Majumdar, who led the study. "Understanding the mechanism between heart failure and osteoporosis might lead to new treatments for both conditions."

The team wrote in their report, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, that a number factors associated with heart failure may account for the increased risk of fractures. Heart failure patients are known to be more likely to fall. Furthermore, medications used to treat the condition may lead to a thinning of the bones.