Bone mineral density and hypertension prevalence in postmenopausal women: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PURPOSE: We sought to corroborate a reported association of hypertension with bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Data are from a nationally representative sample of 2738 women aged 50 years and older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Total proximal femoral bone mineral density was measured by using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or greater or recent blood pressure medication use. RESULTS: Compared with the fourth quartile of BMD, age- and race-adjusted relative odds of hypertension were decreased in the first quartile (odds ratio [OR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 0.38-0.67; p < 0.01). However, the association was diminished and no longer significant after adjusting for body mass index (OR, 0.96; 95% Cl, 0.69-1.36; p = 0.83) and additional risk factors in multivariate models (OR, 0.92; 95% Cl, 0.65-1.30; p = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: No association between hypertension and BMD was observed after controlling for body mass index and other confounders.