Does HRT help to counter heart disease?
We know that elevated blood cholesterol increases the risk of coronary heart disease. There are two different types of cholesterol (low and high density). High levels of low density (LDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease whereas high density cholesterol (HDL) provides protection. Women during their reproductive years have higher HDL-cholesterol and lower LDL-cholesterol than men. Following the menopause, the balance between HDL- and LDL- cholesterol becomes similar to that seen in men and hence the protection to the heart is lost. It was shown, as early as 1952, that following the menopause HRT will restore the balance between HDL- and LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol is also reduced.
Hormone replacement therapy may reduce heart problems by additional mechanisms to its beneficial effect on cholesterol chemistry. Platelets (Q 24.10) may become less sticky reducing the risks of clotting in the arteries (thrombosis), and fibrinolytic activity (Q 24.17C) may be increased in the blood so that very tiny clots in the arteries are more quickly dispersed. HRT also has a tendency to dilate blood vessels.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Menopause: refining benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (1995)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 HRT help me with the psychological difficulties that I am experiencing around?
- 2 HRT help my mental ability?
- 3 Can HRT reduce my chance of developing heart disease?
- 4 How does HRT protect against coronary heart disease?
- 5 If I am at particular risk of heart disease, can HRT still help?
- 6 Do progestogens taken in combination with oestrogen replacement therapy have an adverse effect on heart protection?
- 7 How long should HRT be taken to reduce the risk of heart disease?
- 8 Is there any evidence that HRT will protect my bones?
- 9 Would the dose (strength) of my HRT influence its ability to protect my bones?
- 10 Are there other treatments apart from HRT for osteoporosis?
- 11 Would HRT help my skin?
- 12 Can hormone replacement therapy cure all my menopausal symptoms?
- 13 How prevalent is cancer of the breast?
- 14 What factors influence the chance of breast cancer developing?
- 15 What is the relationship between HRT and breast cancer?
- 16 I have benign breast disease. Can I take HRT?
- 17 Does a history of breast cancer mean that HRT is absolutely contraindicated?
- 18 If I started HRT early (aged 30 to 45), does this influence my chance of developing breast cancer?
- 19 Does hormone replacement therapy increase the risks of cancer of the womb?
- 20 I have had endometrial cancer and now have menopausal problems. Can I take HRT?
- 21 Does HRT have a relationship to ovarian cancer?
- 22 How does HRT relate to a blood clot (DVT - deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)?
- 23 I have varicose veins. Can I take HRT?
- 24 Should HRT be discontinued before I have a major operation or leg surgery?
- 25 Does HRT increase life-expectancy?
- 26 I am still seeing periods. Could HRT have any benefits for me?
- 27 I have been told that I have fibroids. Can I take HRT?
- 28 What happens if I decide not to take HRT?
- 29 Doctors seem to promote HRT but the media cause me anxiety. Who is right?
- 30 Support Groups.
