Cardioprotective benefits of hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on adverse cardiac events in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A systematic review of all available scientific literature (513 articles) on the cardioprotective benefits of HRT, including research reports, meta-analyses, and commentaries.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidemiological studies have consistently suggested that HRT administered to postmenopausal women significantly lowers the risks of cardiovascular events. However, the claimed benefits might have been exaggerated. The results of the only large randomized clinical trial did not show similar benefits as those reported from observational studies. Research findings about cardiovascular protection of HRT remain inconclusive.


CONCLUSIONS
While waiting for more definitive data, it is appropriate to consider other options that have been proven safe and effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Vega
V
V
University of Hawaii, USA. victorio@hawaii.edu
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors