Introduction
Most people take steps to improve their bone health. It is essential to consider blood pressure while considering bone health. All people think that high blood pressure can affect only their heart, but some studies and research have proven that high blood pressure affects bone health by accelerating bone aging and causing bone conditions like osteoporosis. Some studies on mice show a significant connection between high blood pressure and osteoporosis. Nearly half of the population suffers from hypertension which also makes them suffer from certain bone conditions. One should concentrate on maintaining their blood pressure in a normal range so that they can maintain healthy and stronger bones. Let's elaborate on the connection between hypertension and bone health.
What Is Hypertension?
Blood pressure is a vital sign that measures the force put on the walls of the blood vessels by the circulating blood. The normal blood pressure ranges below 120/80 mmHg. 120 is the systolic pressure which refers to the pressure in the arteries during the heartbeat, and 80 is the diastolic pressure which refers to the pressure between the heartbeats when the heart is at rest. Hypertension or high blood pressure is said when the blood pressure is above 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure can vary in the body throughout the day. When the blood pressure is constantly high in number, it is said as hypertension. Hypertension is a serious medical condition that may cause many health problems like stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Some of the organizations may vary in values. Some consider it hypertension if the blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypertension?
If the person has extremely high blood pressure, they may experience the following symptoms:
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Severe headache.
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Confusion.
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Chest pain.
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Nosebleed.
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Vision problems.
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Hard breathing.
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Blood in the urine.
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Pounding in chest, neck, and ears.
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Irregular heartbeats.
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Nervousness.
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Sweating.
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Dizziness.
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Facial flushing.
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Trouble sleeping.
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Blood spots in the eyes.
What Are the Causes of Hypertension?
Hypertension is of two types: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. There is no clear cause for primary hypertension. It may be due to some lifestyle habits. Some of the common cause includes:
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Unhealthy eating, especially a diet with high sodium.
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Absence of physical activity.
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High consumption of alcohol and its products.
The common cause of secondary hypertension include:
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Medications include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), immunosuppressants, and oral contraceptives.
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Chronic kidney disease.
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Conn's syndrome.
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Renal vascular disease like renal stenosis.
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Use of tobacco and tobacco products.
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Use of drugs like cocaine and amphetamines.
What Is the Link Between Hypertension and Bone Health?
Studies have strongly shown that high blood pressure causes the wearing down of bones, slowly leading to osteoporosis. The link between high blood pressure and osteoporosis involves calcium homeostasis. Increased calcium loss through urine is one of the adverse effects of high blood pressure. As calcium is the important mineral that makes bones, the loss or depletion of calcium may affect the health of the bone. It may be confusing how urinary calcium affects bone calcium; when the body loses calcium through urine, it will pull off the stored calcium in the bones to maintain calcium homeostasis in the blood. This is how high blood pressure impacts bone health.
Another connection between high blood pressure and osteoporosis may be the environment created by hypertension inside the body. People with high blood pressure for longer periods may have Inflammation and oxidative stress that may affect bone breakdown and regeneration. Thus, high blood pressure may affect the body's bone health, leading to osteoporosis.
Do Antihypertensive Drugs Help to Maintain Bone Health?
Several antihypertensive medications are available, including calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, alpha-blockers, renin inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics. All these drugs may help to maintain the bone mineral density as the blood pressure decreases; ultimately, it causes decreased excretion of calcium in the urine. Some studies have shown that other antihypertensive drugs, beta-blockers, and Thiazides are more effective in maintaining the body's bone mineral density.
What Are the Natural Remedies to Prevent Hypertension?
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Diet
It is essential to take foods rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2). Riboflavin helps the body to absorb vital minerals like zinc and iron. It also helps in breaking down the cholesterol. Riboflavin also helps the body get all nutrients from fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. The foods that are rich in vitamin B2 include whole milk, wild Atlantic salmon, spirulina, broccoli, cauliflower, almonds, asparagus, mushrooms, soy milk, and leafy green vegetables.
In addition, the sodium and potassium balance in the body may help maintain the blood pressure in the normal range. Some foods that are rich in sodium and potassium include dried apricots, acorn squash, yogurt, milk, chicken, spinach, bananas, potatoes, and raisins.
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Medication Management
If a person is taking antihypertensive medications, discuss potential effects on bone health with their doctor. They may consider alternative medications or prescribe additional supplements to mitigate any negative impact on bone density.
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Regular Check-Ups
Scheduling routine check-ups with their healthcare provider to monitor their blood pressure and assess their overall health, including bone density may be beneficial.
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Others
High blood pressure can be maintained in the normal range by performing routine exercises that help to keep the heart healthier, managing stress, skipping happy hours, walking, doing cardio workouts, running, jogging, quitting smoking and alcohol, and going to bed early in the night.
Conclusion
People with hypertension are more prone to bone problems as high blood pressure is highly connected with bone health due to calcium loss in urine. To maintain healthy bones, it is vital to maintain blood pressure in normal ranges. Blood pressure can be maintained in the normal range by being physically active and performing routine exercises. If a person is diagnosed with hypertension, it is essential to take anti-hypertensive drugs that can help maintain their bone health.
