Abstract

ESTABLISHING THE RISK RELATED TO HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN WOMEN

*Ch. Kranthi, A. Sravani, L. Divya Bhargavi, Dr. G. Ramesh, Satheesh S. Gottipati, P. Srinivasa Babu

ABSTRACT

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will have a profound impact on the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women, which is achieved by its effects on metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and on arterial function. Observational studies of hormone replacement therapy are showing coronary heart disease benefit, whereas randomised clinical trials are showing coronary heart disease risk. Early harm may be caused by inappropriate high starting doses for the woman’s age, which may cause transient increases in thrombogenesis and adverse vascular remodelling. Later benefit could result from oestrogen action on metabolic risk factors, as well as direct arterial effects reducing atherogenesis. Apart evidence from observational studies, the use of hormone therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among postmenopausal women is controversial. The recent completion of several randomised clinical trials examining the effects of hormone therapy on CVD are presenting an opportunity to provide a more precise estimate of the cardiovascular risks of hormone therapy.

Keywords: Hormone Replacement Therapy, Cardiovascular vascular disease, Thrombogenesis, Risk assessment.