Effects of hormonal replacement therapy in postmenopausal hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on blood pressure (BP) in postmenopausal hypertensive women.


METHODS
Sixty women affected by hypertension were enrolled and randomized in two groups of treatment: transdermal continuous HRT in a sequential regimen (group A) and placebo (group P). At baseline, after 3 and 6 months of treatment, the BP with standard sphygmomanometer and with 24-h ambulatory recording method was evaluated in two periods (from day 10 through day 16 of the cycle and from day 20 through day 27 of the cycle). At the same time, we also evaluated total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, and fibrinogen levels.


RESULTS
After 3 and 6 months of treatment, no significant variations of systolic and diastolic BP measured with standard sphygmomanometer were detected in both groups. On the contrary, in group A in comparison with basal values and group P, and without difference between the two phases of treatment, the 24-h recording showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in BP. No significant variations were detected in group P versus baseline. In particular, we observed in group A at 3 months of treatment a significant (P<0.05) decrease only in daytime BP in comparison with basal values and group P, without difference between the two phases of treatment. Indeed, the decrease in daytime BP was significant (P<0.05) for both systolic and diastolic BP. At 3 and 6 months a significant (P<0.05) decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-c and fibrinogen levels was detected in group A versus baseline and group P. HDL-c and triglyceride concentrations showed no significant variations.


CONCLUSIONS
The transdermal HRT induces a significant reduction of BP values and a favorable metabolic action in postmenopausal hypertensive patients.
Affinito
P
P
Clinical Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Human Reproduction, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Palomba
S
S
Bonifacio
M
M
Fontana
D
D
Izzo
R
R
Trimarco
B
B
Nappi
C
C
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics; D014280:Triglycerides; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate