No excess cardiovascular risk from HRT for most patients

An American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) analysis of several studies monitoring the impact of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) shows young women in early menopause may not only have no increased cardiovascular risk from the therapy, but may indeed show benefit in the future.

HRT has powerful effects in relieving menopausal symptoms. AACE conducted the analysis in response to several major studies that brought to light conflicting information about the safety of HRT. Those studies include the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), The Heart and estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS), and the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions study (PEPI).

The AACE analysis included a meta-analysis of 23 trials that compared results in women younger than 60, or less than 10 years since menopause. When re-evaluating to permit an analysis of cardiovascular disease based on age, the studies showed that after a three year period, there was no difference in the incidence of cardiovascular disease between the HRT group and the placebo group.

“This is an important and meaningful analysis for women who can benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy,” said Richard Hellman, MD, FACP, FACE, and President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. “Since the WHI was published in 2002, there has been much debate over the risk/reward ratio with this treatment option. Patient safety must always be our primary objective. We can now say with good confidence that this therapy is very safe for women under 60, or who have recently experienced menopause”

AACE still recommends that each patient be evaluated by her doctor for the severity of her symptoms, age, and specific risk factors that might impact the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy. Non-hormonal therapies should be offered to those women who decline hormonal therapy.

http://www.aace.com/