THE ROLE OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY IN PREVENTING CORONARY-ARTERYDISEASE IN WOMEN

Many reports show a reduction in cardiovascular disease events in coho rts of women taking postmenopausal hormone replacement. Newer reports detail the possible mechanisms for reduction in cardiac events, includ ing beneficial changes in arterial function and lipid metabolism. Clin ical studies now show that combination estrogen and progestin therapy appears to also result in a reduction in cardiovascular risk, but wome n are receiving mixed messages about why they should or should not tak e hormones and many discontinue or never start therapy. Several organi zations have provided guidelines for evaluating the individual risk-be nefit ratio for hormone replacement therapy for a given woman. Until r andomized clinical trials are reported, adherence to established guide lines for treatment is the recommended course of action. (C) 1998 Rapi d Science Publishers.