Effects of postmeopausal hormone replacement therapy, on vascular biology and left ventricular geometry

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy renders beneficial effects on ca rdiovascular risk factors such as blood lipids. Additionally, direct protec tive mechanisms of estrogens in the blood vessels and myocardium are under study. Recent findings suggest an improvement in endothelium-dependent vaso dilatation and coronary microcirculation. Furthermore, it has also been sug gested that this treatment has cardioprotective effects on the left ventric ular geometry, i.e., nomial left ventricular mass and wall thickness. Wheth er the beneficial effects of estrogens are counterregulated by a combined u se with progestins is not yet known and requires further investigation.