[Coronary heart disease and osteoporosis: factors related to development of both diseases].

Coronary heart disease and osteoporosis are common diseases in aging populations. Traditionally, these diseases have been considered as distinct and unrelated. However, nowadays there has been increasing evidence indicating a pathological link between these two disorders. Both diseases share etiological factors as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperhomocysteinemia. Statins, hypolipidemic drugs, not only reduce atherogenesis but also stimulate bone formation. Bisphosphonates, drugs used in osteoporosis treatment, have been shown to influence serum cholesterol levels and inhibit atherosclerotic plaque formation.