Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women with specific risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women is associated with a reduction in the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) of about 50%. Women with an elevated risk for CAD appear to benefit most by HRT. The HRT-associated cardiovascular protection may be related to favourable changes in several important cardiovascular risk estimators, such as circulating blood concentrations of cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and homocysteine. This paper reviews the literature presently available on the effects of HRT on cholesterol, Lp(a) and homocysteine concentrations, and special attention will be given to the effects on their elevated concentrations. The effect of HRT in women with hypertension is reviewed as well. From this overview it can be concluded that risk factors such as cholesterol, Lp(a), and homocysteine can be favourably modulated by HRT, and especially, that the strongest reductions can be achieved in those women with the highest concentrations. Although clinical trials still need to demonstrate the impact of lowering concentrations of Lp(a) and homocysteine, HRT appears to be a promising risk reduction strategy in this respect.
van der Mooren
M J
MJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital-Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mj.vandermooren@azvu.nl
Mijatovic
V
V
van Baal
W M
WM
Stehouwer
C D
CD
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors
D004967:Estrogens; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D006710:Homocysteine; D002784:Cholesterol