Osteoarthritis is Linked to Heart Disease

A Canadian study showed that patients with arthritis had an increased risk of heart disease. The highest association was 41% in women younger than 65 y.o. but both men and women were affected. The reason was not clear, but the authors speculated that less physical activity or the drugs prescribed for arthritis caused the increased risk. These mechanisms could be avoided by using natural therapies like glucosamine and emphasizing more creative forms of exercise like swimming and mini-trampolines. From the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Rheumatology Assoc., reported in Family Practice News, May 1, 2012, p. 1.