In the Forum
Heart Disease Benefits in Hormone Replacement Therapy: Timing is Important
Volume: 24 (25/01/2006)
A recent study, conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, has shown that women who start hormone replacement at a young age have more benefits than those who do so after menopause begins or after the age of 60, particularly as far as protection against the risk of heart disease is concerned.The study aimed to establish the relationship between heart disease and hormone replacement therapy, as they relate to age. Dr. Manson and colleagues used data from the Nurses’ Health Study, conducted between 1976 and 2000,
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which clearly indicated that women who started HRT before the onset of menopause were at a significantly reduced risk of heart disease, as compared to those who did not start HRT.
Researchers found that, by starting hormone replacement therapy earlier, women have a 30% lower risk of coronary heart disease as compared to women who do not use hormone therapy. As for women who start the hormone therapy later, no cardiovascular benefit was noted.
These findings are particularly important because other recent research has discouraged women from using hormone therapy. The Women's Health Initiative, involving 27,000 participants, found that hormone replacement therapy caused a higher risk of breast cancer and stroke, together with other health risks. Many women either did not start the therapy, or discontinued it, after the results of this study were public.
Dr. Manson is worried that women are afraid not to increase their heart disease risks as well, by taking hormone therapy. "The risk of heart disease and stroke are lower in the younger, recently menopausal women", she reported to Forbes.
Researchers say Estrogen will actually delay the development of atherosclerosis in younger women, who do not already have their blood vessels damaged. In older women, there is a chance that HRT may cause a clot, if their vessels are damaged by atherosclerosis.
The study's results were published in the Jan./Febr. issue of the Journal of Women's Health.
Researchers found that, by starting hormone replacement therapy earlier, women have a 30% lower risk of coronary heart disease as compared to women who do not use hormone therapy. As for women who start the hormone therapy later, no cardiovascular benefit was noted.
These findings are particularly important because other recent research has discouraged women from using hormone therapy. The Women's Health Initiative, involving 27,000 participants, found that hormone replacement therapy caused a higher risk of breast cancer and stroke, together with other health risks. Many women either did not start the therapy, or discontinued it, after the results of this study were public.
Dr. Manson is worried that women are afraid not to increase their heart disease risks as well, by taking hormone therapy. "The risk of heart disease and stroke are lower in the younger, recently menopausal women", she reported to Forbes.
Researchers say Estrogen will actually delay the development of atherosclerosis in younger women, who do not already have their blood vessels damaged. In older women, there is a chance that HRT may cause a clot, if their vessels are damaged by atherosclerosis.
The study's results were published in the Jan./Febr. issue of the Journal of Women's Health.
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