HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK - THE CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSICIANS VIEWPOINT

Sufficient evidence has accumulated showing that hormone replacement t herapy (HRT) does protect against cardiovascular disease in women, alt hough data regarding the true magnitude of that protection remains inc omplete. There is no evidence that HRT increases the risk of hypertens ion or thromboembolism, and beneficial effects have been found for pla sma lipids, clotting factors and cardiovascular haemodynamics. However , the evidence is not convincing of any beneficial effect of HRT in pr eventing strokes, and concerns about the risk of cancer with HRT remai n. Despite this, considerable uncertainty continues to exist amongst c linicians as to the balance of beneficial and harmful effects from adm inistering HRT. Overall, HRT seems to do no harm and may be protective . A much greater awareness of the long-term consequences of the menopa use and the potential benefits of HRT should be encouraged so that wom en (and their doctors) can make informed decisions about their require ments.