February is National Heart Health Month and you may be wondering what heart health has to do with the health of your bones and joints. The answer is: a lot!  According to prescribefit.com, “the musculoskeletal (MSK) system is closely linked to the heart in several ways.  First, the bones contain bone marrow that is responsible for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.  Next, the heart pumps these blood cells throughout the body and back into the MSK system. This provides key nutrients and oxygen to the bones and muscles to help them function.  The heart and the MSK system work together to keep your body healthy.”[1]

The health of your heart can also greatly impact your ability to recover from, or even participate in, joint replacement.  In an article from arthritis.org, Emily Delzell reports that "cardiac events that can happen after total joint replacement include heart attack, cardiac arrest andarrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat.  The effects of anesthesia along with blood loss, low blood oxygen and other issues that can happen during surgery all stress your cardiovascular system, which raises the risk of heart problems."[2]

According to a 2019 review of studies published in the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research, cardiovascular risks with joint surgery are relatively low. Rates of cardiovascular complications in people with osteoarthritis after hip and knee replacement ranged from .07% to 3%.  These are not high percentages, but the doctors at Anniston Orthopaedic Associates take their patients’ heart health seriously. Each joint replacement patient must be cleared for surgery as it relates to their cardiovascular health.

If you are preparing for a joint replacement, or if you think it might be a possibility, consider taking these steps toward better heart health:

·       Quit Smoking – this will improve many aspects of your health, but one of the biggest impacts it will have is on your heart.

·       Lose Weight –consult your physician to see what an ideal body weight is for you and work toward this weight, taking consistent steps each day to achieve your goal.

·       Get Active—you don’t have to be a marathon runner…just get moving!  If you can walk four blocks or up two flights of stairs without shortness of breath, chest pain, or pressure, you are on the right track.

·       Lower Your Cholesterol—you’ve probably heard “you are what you eat,” and when it comes to cholesterol, that’s partly true.  Fatty, fried foods will elevate your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of cardiovascular events.  High cholesterol can also be hereditary, so be sure to check with your primary care physician to establish your baseline cholesterol number.

Taking these steps will put you on a path toward a healthier heart and a more successful total joint replacement, should the need arise. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons, please contact our office at 256-236-4121.

[1] https://www.prescribefit.com/american-heart-month-why-heart-health-matters-for-bone-joint-health/

[2] https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/safety-and-risks/heart-risks-with-joint-replacement-surgery

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