According to a study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, postmenopausal women who take estrogen plus progestin hormone therapy have a greater risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) during the first few years after starting hormone therapy.

To determine how long this risk persists, researchers randomly assigned 16,608 postmenopausal women to either a daily hormone regimen (n = 8,506) or placebo (n = 8,102). The researchers found a possible increased risk for CHD in the first two years in women who started hormone therapy within 10 years after menopause. The increase risk persisted for up to six years after use.

The investigators conclude that most women who are considering short-term estrogen plus progestin hormone therapy for the relief of menopausal symptoms should not expect protection against CHD, and may need to worry about a possible slightly increased risk for heart attacks.

SOURCES:
Annals of Internal Medicine, February 16, 2010
American College of Physicians (http://www.acponline.org)