Osteoarthritis Risk: Can Better Heart Health Help?

What did the heart health and osteoarthritis study find?

The study, published on May 13, 2026, found a 32% lower adjusted hazard of osteoarthritis among participants in the highest quarter of cardiovascular health scores compared with the lowest quarter. This relative comparison does not mean 32 fewer diagnoses per 100 people. [RMD Open study](https://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/12/2/e006881).

Participants were observed rather than randomly assigned an intervention, leaving room for other differences to influence the results. Exploratory blood-protein analyses suggested metabolic and inflammatory connections, but did not establish biological mechanisms or a validated screening test. [Study findings](https://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/12/2/e006881).

Why consider heart and joint health together?

Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, including surrounding tissues, and can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty moving. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 528 million people were living with it worldwide in 2019. Age, previous joint injury and excess weight are among its risk factors, but developing osteoarthritis is not an inevitable consequence of getting older. [WHO osteoarthritis fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/osteoarthritis).

The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 framework takes a similarly broad view of cardiovascular health. It includes diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure. These measures combine everyday behaviors with clinical information. A cardiovascular assessment therefore extends beyond a cholesterol result or blood-pressure reading, creating opportunities to discuss several aspects of health during the same appointment. [American Heart Association framework](https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/lifes-essential-8).

What can people do for their heart and joints now?

For people with osteoarthritis, NICE recommends exercise adapted to individual needs, including muscle strengthening and aerobic activity. Some discomfort can occur when starting, but regular participation can improve pain, function and quality of life over time. For people also living with overweight or obesity, supported weight loss can provide additional benefits. These recommendations concern managing existing osteoarthritis; they do not promise that lifestyle changes will prevent every future case. [NICE osteoarthritis recommendations](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226/chapter/recommendations).

For cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association recommends an overall eating pattern emphasizing vegetables, fruit, whole foods and healthy protein sources, alongside avoiding tobacco and managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. Its general activity recommendation for adults includes at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. For someone with painful joints, working toward activity goals through an adapted plan can connect cardiovascular care with rehabilitation. [Life's Essential 8](https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8).