Hormones and coronary atherosclerosis in women

Heart disease is the major health issue facing women in the United States today. Yet, less than 50% of women are aware cardiovascular disease is a health problem. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and lipid streaks have been identified in girls ages 15-19 in the abdominal aorta and the right coron...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Endocrine 2004-08, Vol.24 (3), p.245-250
Main Author: Rackley, Charles E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Aorta
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular diseases
Children
Cigarette smoking
Clinical trials
Clinical Trials as Topic
Clotting
Coronary artery
Coronary artery disease
Coronary Disease - epidemiology
Coronary Disease - physiopathology
Coronary Disease - prevention & control
Diabetes mellitus
Drug addiction
Endocrinology
Estrogen Replacement Therapy - adverse effects
Estrogens
Estrogens - administration & dosage
Estrogens - adverse effects
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) - administration & dosage
Female
Heart diseases
Hormone replacement therapy
Humans
Inflammation
Lipids
Lipids - blood
Medical treatment
Menopause
Osteoporosis
Post-menopause
Risk Factors
Vasodilation
Womens health
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Summary:Heart disease is the major health issue facing women in the United States today. Yet, less than 50% of women are aware cardiovascular disease is a health problem. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and lipid streaks have been identified in girls ages 15-19 in the abdominal aorta and the right coronary artery. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women include smoking, diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, and menopause. Observational studies have reported a 30-50% reduction in cardiovascular events when estrogen was administered to younger women for menopausal symptoms, yet randomized trials in older patients have failed to show benefit with hormonal replacement therapy. Recent studies have reported preservation of lipid and vascular vasodilatation with low-dose conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) in women and an absence of inflammatory and clotting changes that were observed in high-dose CEE. Recommendations for reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women include smoking cessation, regular exercise, and weight control. Should hormone therapy be continued beyond management of menopausal symptoms and treatment for osteoporosis, a statin drug should be added to eliminate future cardiovascular complications. Future research will examine low-dose hormonal therapy, earlier administration after menopause, newer agents, and routes of estrogen administration.
ISSN:1355-008X
1559-0100
DOI:10.1385/endo:24:3:245