Other
than both being potentially serious conditions affecting millions of
people, osteoarthritis and heart disease may
not seem to have that much in common. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in
the joints, while heart disease impacts the heart and blood vessels.
Musculoskeletal system versus circulatory system. Separate issues, right?
Actually,
there is a relationship between the two conditions. It’s a relationship that
has become increasingly scientifically intimate over the last 10 years.
Sean Haslam, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS, an orthopedic
specialist on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial,
has seen the relationship evolve. He shares his views on the factors behind
this link — and how you can help prevent both.
Q: What is the relationship between osteoarthritis and heart
disease, and how has it changed?
Originally,
it was thought that it was all about age. People who are older tend to have
more cardiovascular risk, and as we age, we tend to have more risk of
osteoarthritis as cartilage wears away.
In
recent years, there has been a more direct link between the two, although there
is some disagreement in the scientific literature in terms of the exact nature
of that link.
Some
studies seem to indicate that heart disease may be related to arthritis due to
a chemical process. However, a lot of the literature in the orthopedic world
seems to suggest that osteoarthritis decreases activity level, which can as a
result raise your risk of heart disease.
So, the
debate is this: does heart disease play a role in raising the risk of
osteoarthritis? Or is it that osteoarthritis causes decreased activity which is
a risk for the development or worsening of heart disease?
Twenty
years ago, most orthopedic surgeons would probably have agreed there was no
chemical link between heart disease and arthritis. But because of some of the
newer research that has come out, the door is now open to explore that, and we
need to be openminded about it.
Q: Has care changed for patients with arthritis who also have or
are at risk for heart disease?
I
definitely think there is more of a medical focus on getting patients with
osteoarthritis “heart healthy,” so to speak.
If you
can lessen risk factors for heart disease through medication, diet and lifestyle, it’s going to do nothing but
fantastic things for your osteoarthritis.
It will
also make for a smoother experience and recovery if a surgery such as total
joint replacement is necessary.
Q: How does obesity play a role in arthritis?
Losing
weight is one of the best things you can do to decrease pain in the
musculoskeletal system. There are some patients we advise to lose weight prior
to knee surgery, for example. Let’s say you set a goal to lose 30 or 40 pounds
but only end up losing 20.
That 20
pounds – even though it is short of your goal – is enough for your knee to feel
much better. We may actually be able to take you off the path to surgery
because there is less pressure on the knee.
Losing
weight is certainly easier said than done, but it can make a big
difference.
Q: Are there steps people can take to prevent both arthritis and
heart disease?
Be
active. One of the things that happens particularly with knees as they get
arthritis is that they get stiff and more painful. And the more painful
your knee pain gets, the less you want to use
it and the stiffer it gets. It’s a cycle that repeats.
Keeping
your joints limber really can have an impact on the quality of life you have
and the amount of pain you have. It’s a bit of a paradox because when joints
get stiff, you want to be less active. But being more active
is what is going to add flexibility and alleviate symptoms.
And as
we’ve discussed, being active can also help lower your risk of heart disease.
Q: What advice do you have for people who want to move better
but may be starting to deal with arthritis?
Keep
moving. That doesn’t mean you need to go out and start running if you’re not a
runner. But take up a hobby or activity that is low impact like swimming or
cycling. These can help alleviate some of the pain and are also good for your
cardiovascular system. Of course, you should consult your doctor before
starting any new exercise program.
Ready
to move better?
Authored by Sean Haslam, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS, is an orthopedic specialist on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial.
He is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and total joint replacement. Dr.
Haslam has a keen interest in helping patients with arthritis find relief from
pain and a more active life. Get to know Dr. Haslam.
No comments:
Post a Comment