Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

The relationship between hypertension and thoracic spine bone mineral density: the Multi-Ethnic Study of

Ahmed K Ghanem1,2, Venkat S Manubolu3, April Kinninger3

  • 1Lundquist Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA. aghanem@llu.edu.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|July 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is not independently linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD), the measure for osteoporosis risk. This study found no significant association after accounting for other factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Hypertension (HTN) and osteoporosis (low bone mineral density, BMD) were historically considered separate conditions.
  • Emerging research suggests shared pathways involving vascular inflammation and immune cell activation.
  • The precise relationship between HTN and BMD remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between hypertension and bone mineral density.
  • To determine if hypertension is an independent risk factor for lower BMD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 6,814 MESA study participants.
  • Measured thoracic spine BMD using non-contrast CT scans.
  • Employed linear and logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, BMI, and osteoporosis medication use.

Main Results:

  • Unadjusted analysis showed higher osteoporosis prevalence and lower BMD in hypertensive individuals.
  • After adjusting for confounders, the association between HTN and BMD was not statistically significant (p=0.687).
  • Higher BMD was observed in Black, Chinese, and Hispanic participants compared to White participants; higher BMI and younger age correlated with increased BMD.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension does not appear to be independently associated with bone mineral density.
  • Other factors like race/ethnicity, BMI, and age significantly influence BMD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bone mineral density (BMD)Hypertension (HTN)Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)Osteoporosis

Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
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...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management01:23

Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management for a patient with arteriosclerosis involves a comprehensive approach focusing on lifestyle modification, disease monitoring, education, and symptomatic care. Here is an overview of effective nursing strategies:Assessment and Monitoring: Initial and ongoing assessments are crucial. Nurses must document the patient's medical history, including any hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular diseases. Assessments also cover family history and lifestyle...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...