Home |
Current Issue |
Past Issues |
In the Clinic |
ACP Journal Club |
CME |
Collections |
Audio/Video |
Mobile |
Subscribe |
Tools |
Help |
ACP Online
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 December 2000 | Volume 133 Issue 12 | Pages 933-941
Background: Most primary prevention studies have found that long-term users of postmenopausal hormone therapy are at lower risk for coronary events, but numerous questions remain. An adverse influence of hormone therapy on cardiovascular risk has been suggested during the initial year of use; however, few data are available on short-term hormone therapy. In addition, the cardiovascular effects of daily doses of oral conjugated estrogen lower than 0.625 mg are unknown, and few studies have examined estrogen plus progestin in this regard.
Objective: To investigate duration, dose, and type of postmenopausal hormone therapy and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Design: Prospective, observational cohort study.
Setting: Nurses' Health Study, with follow-up from 1976 to 1996.
Patients: 70 533 postmenopausal women, in whom 1258 major coronary events (nonfatal myocardial infarction or fatal coronary disease) and 767 strokes were identified.
Measurements: Details of postmenopausal hormone use were ascertained by using biennial questionnaires. Cardiovascular disease was established by using a questionnaire and was confirmed by medical record review. Logistic regression models were used to calculate relative risks and 95% CIs, adjusted for confounders.
Results: When all cardiovascular risk factors were considered, the risk for major coronary events was lower among current users of hormone therapy, including short-term users, compared with never-users (relative risk, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.52 to 0.71]). Among women taking oral conjugated estrogen, the risk for coronary events was similarly reduced in those currently taking 0.625 mg daily (relative risk, 0.54 [CI, 0.44 to 0.67]) and those taking 0.3 mg daily (relative risk, 0.58 [CI, 0.37 to 0.92]) compared with never-users. However, the risk for stroke was statistically significantly increased among women taking 0.625 mg or more of oral conjugated estrogen daily (relative risk, 1.35 [CI, 1.08 to 1.68] for 0.625 mg/d and 1.63 [CI, 1.18 to 2.26] for
Conclusions: Postmenopausal hormone use appears to decrease risk for major coronary events in women without previous heart disease. Furthermore, 0.3 mg of oral conjugated estrogen daily is associated with a reduction similar to that seen with the standard dose of 0.625 mg. However, estrogen at daily doses of 0.625 mg or greater and in combination with progestin may increase risk for stroke.
Author and Article Information
From the Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Grant Support: By grants HL34594 and CA40356 from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Grodstein is partially supported by a New Scholars award from the Ellison Medical Foundation and a FIRST award from the National Institutes of Health (AG13482).
Requests for Single Reprints: Francine Grodstein, ScD, Channing Laboratory, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
Current Author Addresses: Drs. Grodstein, Colditz, Speizer, and Stampfer: Channing Laboratory, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
Dr. Manson: Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 900 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
Dr. Willett: Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
Author Contributions: Conception and design: F. Grodstein, J.E. Manson, G.A. Colditz, W.C. Willett, F.E. Speizer, M.J. Stampfer.
Analysis and interpretation of the data: F. Grodstein, J.E. Manson, G.A. Colditz, W.C. Willett, M.J. Stampfer.
Drafting of the article: F. Grodstein, G.A. Colditz.
Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: F. Grodstein, J.E. Manson, W.C. Willett, F.E. Speizer, M.J. Stampfer.
Final approval of the article: F. Grodstein, J.E. Manson, J.E. Manson, G.A. Colditz, W.C. Willett, F.E. Speizer, M.J. Stampfer.
Statistical expertise: F. Grodstein, G.A. Colditz, W.C. Willett.
Obtaining of funding: J.E. Manson, W.C. Willett.
Administrative, technical, or logistic support: F. Grodstein, G.A. Colditz, W.C. Willett, F.E. Speizer.
Collection and assembly of data: F. Grodstein, J.E. Manson, G.A. Colditz, M.J. Stampfer. ARTICLE
A Prospective, Observational Study of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
1.25 mg/d) and those taking estrogen plus progestin (relative risk, 1.45 [CI, 1.10 to 1.92]). Overall, little relation was observed between combination hormone therapy and risk for cardiovascular disease (major coronary heart disease plus stroke) (relative risk, 0.91 [CI, 0.75 to 1.11]).
![]()
Related articles in Annals:
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
E. Zhan, T. Keimig, J. Xu, E. Peterson, J. Ding, F. Wang, and X.-P. Yang Dose-dependent cardiac effect of oestrogen replacement in mice post-myocardial infarction Exp Physiol, August 1, 2008; 93(8): 982 - 993. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. A. Shively, T. C. Register, M. R. Adams, D. L. Golden, S. L. Willard, and T. B. Clarkson Depressive Behavior and Coronary Artery Atherogenesis in Adult Female Cynomolgus Monkeys Psychosom Med, July 1, 2008; 70(6): 637 - 645. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G.-C. M. Gast, D. E. Grobbee, V. J.M. Pop, J. J. Keyzer, C. J.M. Wijnands-van Gent, G. N. Samsioe, P. M. Nilsson, and Y. T. van der Schouw Menopausal Complaints Are Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Factors Hypertension, June 1, 2008; 51(6): 1492 - 1498. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Grodstein, J. E. Manson, M. J. Stampfer, and K. Rexrode Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Stroke: Role of Time Since Menopause and Age at Initiation of Hormone Therapy Arch Intern Med, April 28, 2008; 168(8): 861 - 866. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Marfella, C. Di Filippo, M. Portoghese, F. Ferraraccio, B. Crescenzi, M. Siniscalchi, M. Barbieri, C. Bologna, M. R. Rizzo, F. Rossi, et al. Proteasome Activity as a Target of Hormone Replacement Therapy-Dependent Plaque Stabilization in Postmenopausal Women Hypertension, April 1, 2008; 51(4): 1135 - 1141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. H. Sanders, J. M. Montserrat, R. Farre, and R. J. Givelber Positive Pressure Therapy: A Perspective on Evidence-based Outcomes and Methods of Application Proceedings of the ATS, February 15, 2008; 5(2): 161 - 172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M.-N. Vercambre, A. Fournier, M.-C. Boutron-Ruault, F. Clavel-Chapelon, V. Ringa, and C. Berr Differential Dietary Nutrient Intake according to Hormone Replacement Therapy Use: An Underestimated Confounding Factor in Epidemiologic Studies? Am. J. Epidemiol., December 15, 2007; 166(12): 1451 - 1460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. B. Ojeda, D. Grigore, E. B. Robertson, and B. T. Alexander Estrogen Protects Against Increased Blood Pressure in Postpubertal Female Growth Restricted Offspring Hypertension, October 1, 2007; 50(4): 679 - 685. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Manson and S. S. Bassuk Invited Commentary: Hormone Therapy and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Why Renew the Focus on the Early Years of Menopause? Am. J. Epidemiol., September 1, 2007; 166(5): 511 - 517. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Rajasingh, E. Bord, G. Qin, M. Ii, M. Silver, H. Hamada, D. Ahluwalia, D. Goukassian, Y. Zhu, D. W. Losordo, et al. Enhanced Voluntary Alcohol Consumption after Estrogen Supplementation Negates Estrogen-Mediated Vascular Repair in Ovariectomized Mice Endocrinology, August 1, 2007; 148(8): 3618 - 3624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. E. Wierman and W. M. Kohrt Review Article: Vascular and Metabolic Effects of Sex Steroids: New Insights Into Clinical Trials Reproductive Sciences, May 1, 2007; 14(4): 300 - 314. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Rossouw, R. L. Prentice, J. E. Manson, L. Wu, D. Barad, V. M. Barnabei, M. Ko, A. Z. LaCroix, K. L. Margolis, and M. L. Stefanick Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease by Age and Years Since Menopause JAMA, April 4, 2007; 297(13): 1465 - 1477. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. A. de Lecinana, J. A. Egido, C. Fernandez, E. Martinez-Vila, S. Santos, A. Morales, E. Martinez, A. Pareja, J. Alvarez-Sabin, I. Casado, et al. Risk of ischemic stroke and lifetime estrogen exposure Neurology, January 2, 2007; 68(1): 33 - 38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. A. Tice, A. Kanaya, T. Hue, S. Rubin, D. S. M. Buist, A. LaCroix, J. V. Lacey Jr, J. A. Cauley, S. Litwack, L. A. Brinton, et al. Risk Factors for Mortality in Middle-aged Women Arch Intern Med, December 11, 2006; 166(22): 2469 - 2477. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Gingerich and T. L. Krukoff Estrogen in the Paraventricular Nucleus Attenuates L-Glutamate-Induced Increases in Mean Arterial Pressure Through Estrogen Receptor {beta} and NO Hypertension, December 1, 2006; 48(6): 1130 - 1136. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
The ESHRE Capri Workshop Group Hormones and cardiovascular health in women Hum. Reprod. Update, September 1, 2006; 12(5): 483 - 497. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. C. Stevenson and on behalf of the International Consensus Group on HRT, osteoporosis and regulatory authorities Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2006; 21(7): 1668 - 1671. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Kim, S. Evans, L. Smeeth, and S. Pocock Hormone replacement therapy and acute myocardial infarction: a large observational study exploring the influence of age Int. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2006; 35(3): 731 - 738. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. L. Prentice, M. L. Stefanick, B. V. Howard, D. Barad, and L. Kuller FIVE AUTHORS REPLY Am. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2006; 163(11): 1068 - 1069. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Ouyang, E. D. Michos, and R. H. Karas Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Cardiovascular System: Lessons Learned and Unanswered Questions J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 2, 2006; 47(9): 1741 - 1753. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. K. Koh and B.-K. Yoon Controversies regarding hormone therapy: Insights from inflammation and hemostasis Cardiovasc Res, April 1, 2006; 70(1): 22 - 30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. L. Ballard and J. M. Edelberg Harnessing Hormonal Signaling for Cardioprotection Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., December 21, 2005; 2005(51): re6 - re6. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. J. Genuis The Proliferation of Clinical Practice Guidelines: Professional Development or Medicine-by-Numbers? J Am Board Fam Med, September 1, 2005; 18(5): 419 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. B. Petitti and D. A. Freedman Invited Commentary: How Far Can Epidemiologists Get with Statistical Adjustment? Am. J. Epidemiol., September 1, 2005; 162(5): 415 - 418. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. L. Prentice, R. Langer, M. L. Stefanick, B. V. Howard, M. Pettinger, G. Anderson, D. Barad, J. D. Curb, J. Kotchen, L. Kuller, et al. Combined Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease: Toward Resolving the Discrepancy between Observational Studies and the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Trial Am. J. Epidemiol., September 1, 2005; 162(5): 404 - 414. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. P. Mayer, C. A. Dyer, R. L. Eastgard, P. B. Hoyer, and C. L. Banka Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in a Novel Ovary-Intact Mouse Model of Perimenopause Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., September 1, 2005; 25(9): 1910 - 1916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. M. Miller, T. B. Clarkson, S. M. Harman, E. A. Brinton, M. Cedars, R. Lobo, J. E. Manson, G. R. Merriam, F. Naftolin, and N. Santoro Women, hormones, and clinical trials: a beginning, not an end J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2005; 99(2): 381 - 383. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. T. van der Schouw and D. E. Grobbee Menopausal complaints, oestrogens, and heart disease risk: an explanation for discrepant findings on the benefits of post-menopausal hormone therapy Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2005; 26(14): 1358 - 1361. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. K. Koh, S. H. Han, M.-S. Shin, J. Y. Ahn, Y. Lee, and E. K. Shin Significant differential effects of lower doses of hormone therapy or tibolone on markers of cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2005; 26(14): 1362 - 1368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. M. Goldstein, L. H. Harpole, K. M. Stechuchak, C. J. Coffman, H. B. Bosworth, D. C. Steffens, and L. A. Bastian Hormone Therapy Does Not Affect Depression Severity in Older Women Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, July 1, 2005; 13(7): 616 - 623. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. K. Dubey, B. Imthurn, M. Barton, and E. K. Jackson Vascular consequences of menopause and hormone therapy: Importance of timing of treatment and type of estrogen Cardiovasc Res, May 1, 2005; 66(2): 295 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Wakatsuki, K. K. Koh, E. K. Shin, and I. Sakuma Lower Doses of Estrogen Replacement Therapy and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., December 1, 2004; 24(12): e197 - e197. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. K. Dubey, B. Imthurn, L. C. Zacharia, and E. K. Jackson Hormone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease: What Went Wrong and Where Do We Go From Here? Hypertension, December 1, 2004; 44(6): 789 - 795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Coronary Heart Disease Obstet. Gynecol., October 1, 2004; 104(4_suppl): 41S - 48S. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Stroke Obstet. Gynecol., October 1, 2004; 104(4_suppl): 97S - 105S. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. L. Brubaker Effects of Estrogen-Only Treatment in Postmenopausal Women JAMA, August 11, 2004; 292(6): 686 - 686. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. K. Koh, M.-S. Shin, I. Sakuma, J. Y. Ahn, D. K. Jin, H. S. Kim, D. S. Kim, S. H. Han, W.-J. Chung, and E. K. Shin Effects of Conventional or Lower Doses of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 2004; 24(8): 1516 - 1521. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. H. Kang, J. Weuve, and F. Grodstein Postmenopausal hormone therapy and risk of cognitive decline in community-dwelling aging women Neurology, July 13, 2004; 63(1): 101 - 107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. K. Koh and I. Sakuma Should Progestins Be Blamed for the Failure of Hormone Replacement Therapy to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Randomized Controlled Trials? Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., July 1, 2004; 24(7): 1171 - 1179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Stampfer Commentary: Hormones and heart disease: do trials and observational studies address different questions? Int. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2004; 33(3): 454 - 455. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Grodstein, J. E. Manson, M. J. Stampfer, and W. C. Willett The Discrepancy between Observational Studies and Randomized Trials of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Ann Intern Med, May 4, 2004; 140(9): 764 - 765. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. B. Kannel and D. Levy Menopause, Hormones, and Cardiovascular Vulnerability in Women Arch Intern Med, March 8, 2004; 164(5): 479 - 481. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. A. Lobo Evaluation of Cardiovascular Event Rates With Hormone Therapy in Healthy, Early Postmenopausal Women: Results From 2 Large Clinical Trials Arch Intern Med, March 8, 2004; 164(5): 482 - 484. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A.-L. Eriksson, S. Skrtic, A. Niklason, L. M. Hulten, O. Wiklund, T. Hedner, and C. Ohlsson Association between the low activity genotype of catechol-O-methyltransferase and myocardial infarction in a hypertensive population Eur. Heart J., March 1, 2004; 25(5): 386 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Wakatsuki, N. Ikenoue, K. Shinohara, K. Watanabe, and T. Fukaya Effect of Lower Dosage of Oral Conjugated Equine Estrogen on Inflammatory Markers and Endothelial Function in Healthy Postmenopausal Women Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., March 1, 2004; 24(3): 571 - 576. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
F. Grodstein, K. Lifford, N. M. Resnick, and G. C. Curhan Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Developing Urinary Incontinence Obstet. Gynecol., February 1, 2004; 103(2): 254 - 260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Mericli, G. L. Nadasy, M. Szekeres, S. Varbiro, Z. Vajo, M. Matrai, N. Acs, E. Monos, and B. Szekacs Estrogen replacement therapy reverses changes in intramural coronary resistance arteries caused by female sex hormone depletion Cardiovasc Res, February 1, 2004; 61(2): 317 - 324. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. L. Hersh, M. L. Stefanick, and R. S. Stafford National Use of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy: Annual Trends and Response to Recent Evidence JAMA, January 7, 2004; 291(1): 47 - 53. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Garbe and S. Suissa Issues to debate on the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study: Hormone replacement therapy and acute coronary outcomes: methodological issues between randomized and observational studies Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2004; 19(1): 8 - 13. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. E.D. Chilvers, R. C. Knibb, S. J. Armstrong, K. L. Woods, and R. F.A. Logan Post menopausal hormone replacement therapy and risk of acute myocardial infarction -- a case control study of women in the East Midlands, UK Eur. Heart J., December 2, 2003; 24(24): 2197 - 2205. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. F. Col and S. G. Pauker The Discrepancy between Observational Studies and Randomized Trials of Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Did Expectations Shape Experience? Ann Intern Med, December 2, 2003; 139(11): 923 - 929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. A. Fitzpatrick Hormones and the Heart: Controversies and Conundrums J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2003; 88(12): 5609 - 5610. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. D. Spence, T. Thornton, A. D. Muir, and N. D. Westcott The Effect of Flax Seed Cultivars with Differing Content of {alpha}-Linolenic Acid and Lignans on Responses to Mental Stress J. Am. Coll. Nutr., December 1, 2003; 22(6): 494 - 501. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. M. Brett and C. A. Reuben Prevalence of Estrogen or Estrogen-Progestin Hormone Therapy Use Obstet. Gynecol., December 1, 2003; 102(6): 1240 - 1249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. A. Ray Evaluating Medication Effects Outside of Clinical Trials: New-User Designs Am. J. Epidemiol., November 1, 2003; 158(9): 915 - 920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||