Heart Failure Effects on Bone Health
Summary
Heart failure is increasingly recognised as a systemic syndrome with significant repercussions for skeletal integrity. Chronic haemodynamic compromise, neurohormonal activation and systemic inflammation converge to disrupt normal bone remodelling, leading to reduced bone mineral density and heightened fracture risk. Physical inactivity, muscle wasting and nutritional deficiencies further exacerbate bone fragility in this population. As life expectancy rises and heart failure prevalence escalates globally, the interaction between cardiac dysfunction and skeletal health has emerged as a priority for multidisciplinary management. Early identification of skeletal deterioration, together with targeted therapies that address both cardiac and bone pathology, has the potential to reduce morbidity, preserve functional independence and diminish the burden on healthcare systems.
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Heart Failure Effects on Bone Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in heart failure effects on bone health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Bone mineral density (BMD): The concentration of mineral content in bone tissue, measured to assess bone strength and fracture risk.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA): An imaging modality that quantifies bone mineral content and body composition by measuring X-ray attenuation at two energy levels.
Osteoporosis: A skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of microarchitecture, increasing susceptibility to fractures.
Osteoprotegerin (OPG): A soluble decoy receptor produced by osteoblasts that binds receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand, inhibiting osteoclast formation and activity.
Sarcopenia: The progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, often accompanying chronic disease and contributing to functional decline.
References
- Bone in heart failure. Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle (2020).
- The association between heart failure and risk of fractures: Pool analysis comprising 260,410 participants. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2022).
- Body composition and functional activity in men with heart failure. Rational Pharmacotherapy in Cardiology (2023).
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