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Timing of HRT May Influence Heart Risks
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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 Before the WHI, many women took HRT in the belief that it would reduce their risk for heart disease.
For this study, researchers used ultrasound to measure flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery in four groups of postmenopausal women (127 participants total).
FMD measures how well the endothelium functions. The brachial artery is the main artery in the arm.
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"Endothelial dysfunction is often associated with risk factors," Steinbaum explained.
There were four groups in all: One comprised of women not on HRT, with no heart disease risk factors and about eight years postmenopausal; women not on HRT but who did have risk factors for coronary disease and a little over nine years postmenopausal; women taking estrogen alone, with risk factors and almost 12 years postmenopausal; and women taking estrogen plus progestin and 7.6 years postmenopausal.
Most women had started HRT about the time menopause started.
Women with risk factors who took HRT saw a slight improvement in FMD and, on the whole, there were no reductions in blood vessel function.
More information
Visit the Women's Health Initiative for more on hormone replacement therapy.
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Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 4/16/2008
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SOURCES: Suzanne Steinbaum, D.O., director, Women and Heart Disease, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; April 16, 2008, presentation, American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology annual conference, Atlanta
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