Hormone Replacement Therapy does not Prevent Heart Disease in Women (PGIMER-August 27, 2003)

CVD "is increasingly being recognized as having a profound effect on women, especially after menopause," scientists in India noted. "Lack of estrogen has been targeted as one of the reasons for increased incidence of CVD in postmenopausal women."

"Estrogen has been found to have favorable effects on lipid profile, tone of vascular smooth muscle cells and fibrinogen levels," explained N.S. Khan and colleagues at PGIMER in Chandigarh.

"Several observational studies have supported these experimental findings, consistently demonstrating reduced cardiovascular risks in users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)," they said. "However, evidence from recent clinical trials has challenged this widespread belief. Heart and Estrogen/Progesterone Replacement Study II, Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial and more recently, Women's Health initiative, have shown that HRT has no role in primary and secondary prevention of CVD".

As a result, "most authorities currently do not advocate HRT for the prevention of CVD," the researchers concluded.

Khan and coauthors published their study in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy (Effect of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular disease: current opinion. Expert Opin Pharmacother, 2003;4(5):667-674).

For additional information, contact N.S. Khan, PGIMER, Department of Pharmacology, Chandigarh 160012, India.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Cardiology, Endocrinology, Heart Disease, Hormonal, and Women's Health. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports.

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