Bone in heart failure

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Osteoporosis and heart failure (HF) are prevalent aging-related syndromes with significant societal impact.
• Both conditions contribute to loss of function, independence, and increased hospitalizations.
• Hip fractures, a major complication of osteoporosis, carry high mortality and functional decline risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of bone status in patients with stable chronic heart failure (HF).
• To highlight the unmet need for bone health evaluation and osteoporosis screening in HF patients.
• To provide a basis for discussing the importance of bone health assessment in this population.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article.
• Literature search on osteoporosis, bone mineral density, and heart failure.
• Synthesis of existing data on the comorbidity of HF and osteoporosis.

Main Results:

• Bone status in patients with stable chronic heart failure (HF) has been rarely studied.
• HF and osteoporosis share common risk factors and contribute to functional decline.
• Current heart failure guidelines lack recommendations for osteoporosis screening or patient education.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need to evaluate bone health in patients with heart failure.
• Integrating osteoporosis screening into HF management may prevent fractures and improve patient outcomes.
• Further research is warranted to establish optimal screening and management strategies.