Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
Sex-Specific Associations Between Cardiac Workload, Peripheral Vascular Calcification, and Bone Mineral Density: The
Ayse Zengin1,2, Landing M Jarjou3, Ramatoulie E Janha3
1Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
Insights
Noncommunicable diseases like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease are rising in Africa. This study found poorer bone health in Gambian women linked to cardiac issues, highlighting the need for preventative strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Bone Metabolism and Osteoporosis Research
Background:
- Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), are increasing in Africa, often co-occurring (multimorbidity).
- Osteoporosis and CVD share common risk factors and frequently go undiagnosed until critical events occur.
- Understanding the interplay between cardiac health and bone density is crucial for public health strategies in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between cardiac workload, peripheral vascular calcification (PVC), and bone parameters in Gambian adults.
- To explore sex-specific differences in the relationship between cardiovascular health markers and bone density.
- To inform preventative strategies for the rising burden of CVD and osteoporosis in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Main Methods:
- The Gambian Bone and Muscle Aging Study (GamBAS) included 249 women and 239 men (aged 40-75+).
- Measurements included body composition, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) via DXA, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) of the radius and tibia.
- Cardiac workload (rate pressure product, pulse pressure) and peripheral vascular calcification (PVC) were assessed; sex interactions were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Negative associations were observed between cardiac workload markers (rate pressure product, pulse pressure) and aBMD in women only (p-int < 0.05).
- Increased cardiac workload correlated with lower aBMD at multiple sites in women, even after adjusting for lean mass and fat mass.
- Peripheral vascular calcification (PVC) was present in 22.5% of women and 26.6% of men; women with PVC showed poorer cardiac health and reduced aBMD (p-int < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Multiple markers of cardiac health are significantly associated with poorer bone health in Gambian women.
- These findings underscore the link between cardiovascular and skeletal health, particularly in aging African populations.
- There is an urgent need for preventative strategies to address the growing burden of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract:
Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are rapidly rising in Africa, with multimorbidity increasing the burden on health and social care. Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share common risk factors; both often remain undiagnosed until a major life-threatening event occurs. We investigated the associations between cardiac workload, peripheral vascular calcification (PVC), and bone parameters in Gambian adults. The Gambian Bone and Muscle Aging Study (GamBAS) recruited 249 women and 239 men aged 40 to 75+ years. Body composition and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans were performed at the radius and tibia. Supine blood pressure and heart rate were measured and used to calculate rate pressure product and pulse pressure. Presence of PVC was determined from tibia pQCT scans. Sex interactions were tested (denoted as p-int); adjustments were made for residuals of appendicular lean mass (ALM) and fat mass (FM). There were negative associations between rate pressure product and aBMD in women only, all p-int < .05; after adjustment for ALM residuals, for every 10% increase in rate pressure product, aBMD was lower at the whole body (-0.6% [-1.2, -0.1]), femoral neck (-0.9% [-1.8, -0.05]), L1 to L4 (-0.6% [-1.7, 0.5]), and radius (-1.9% [-2.8, -0.9]); there were similar associations when adjusted for FM residuals. Similar negative associations were found between pulse pressure and aBMD in women only. PVC were found in 26.6% men and 22.5% women; women but not men with calcification had poorer cardiac health and negative associations with aBMD (all sites p-int < .001). There were consistent associations with cardiac parameters and pQCT outcomes at the radius and tibia in women only. Multiple markers of cardiac health are associated with poorer bone health in Gambian women. In the context of epidemiological transition and changing NCD burden, there is a need to identify preventative strategies to slow/prevent the rising burden in CVD and osteoporosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...