Heart Disease And Women

Now It Is Official: Estrogen Does Not Benefit Women's Hearts

Dear Patients and Customers,

In the wake of recent study findings that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may not protect older women's hearts as once thought, the American Heart Association (AHA) is cautioning doctors not to prescribe HRT for heart reasons alone.

In new guidelines issued July 23, the AHA states that women with cardiovascular disease should not be given HRT for the sole reason of preventing future heart attacks. In fact, its panel of experts advises, heart health should essentially be left out of HRT decisions for these patients.

The AHA panel based its advisory on the results of several studies of HRT and heart disease, including the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS). That 4-year trial found that among women with heart disease, taking oral estrogen plus progestin actually raised the risk of recurrent heart attack and death during the first year of use, and thereafter lowered it only slightly.

Circulation July 24, 2001;104:499-503

However, it will take many more years before all physicians learn this so don't be surprised if your regular doctor doesn't believe this or does not heed the

There are other reasons to avoid estrogen, as it also increases the risk of gallbladder disease, venous thromboembolisms, (JAMA 1998 Aug 19-13) and breast cancer.

Synthetic Estrogen Does Not Reduce Heart Disease

Synthetic Estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy Raises Women's Heart Risks

 

Cordially,

Helen Pensanti M.D.