Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Apr 2009
ReviewPostmenopausal hormone therapy and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Sex hormones exert significant effects on the cardiovascular system. Ovarian hormone deficiency associated with menopause plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease in women. The reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), reported in observational studies, has not been subsequently confirmed in randomized clinical trials. ⋯ The benefit of HRT in relieving menopausal symptoms and reducing the occurrence of hip fractures should be weighted against the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. For this purpose, it is crucial to identify the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The cardiovascular effects of sex hormones, the increased risk of cardiovascular disease after menopause, and the effects of HRT on cardiovascular risk are critically reviewed, as well as their impact on the recommendations for clinical practice.