The Aorta in Osteoporosis: Unraveling the Bi-directional Nexus of Vascular Calcification and Skeletal Demineralization
A Comprehensive Column for Global Health Professionals The relationship between osteoporosis (OP) and aortic calcification (AC) is one of the most compelling and intensively studied examples of skeletal-vascular crosstalk. Often viewed as independent diseases of aging, mounting epidemiological evidence and advanced molecular research confirm that these two conditions—the demineralization of the skeleton and the ectopic mineralization of the vasculature—are intrinsically linked, forming what is now often termed the Osteoporosis-Arterial Calcification Syndrome . Understanding this dual pathology is paramount for clinicians, especially in an aging global population, as their co-occurrence significantly amplifies cardiovascular morbidity and fragility fracture risk. This column provides an expert, up-to-date analysis of this critical nexus, from cellular mechanisms to clinical management. 1. Pathophysiology: Shared Molecular Pathways of Two Diseases The concept of two seemingly dis...