THE MENOPAUSE AND LIPID-METABOLISM - STRATEGIES FOR CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE PREVENTION

The menopause and its biology are as yet still incompletely understood . Very little is known about biological and molecular changes in cardi ovascular target tissues and organs after menopause. Experimental and clinical evidence indicate that prevention of cardiovascular disease b y estrogens is aimed both at the correction of risk factors and at the direct control of vessel structure and function. The effects of proge stogens on these processes are still debated, Few other medical interv entions have as great a potential for affecting morbidity and mortalit y as does hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women, Hormone replacement therapy has produced effects on health risk, some are red uced, some are raised, while some remain uncertain, suggesting that fu rther testing through specific clinical trials are required before con fident recommendations can be made about the full range of benefits an d risks, Lipid lowering therapy may be an acceptable alternative for p ostmenopausal women at risk for cardiovascular disease.