The effects of hormone replacement therapy: а window of opportunity for the cardiovascular system

Abstract

Coronary artery disease and stroke make up the greater part of the pattern of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Their prevalence is increasing primarily due to death rates decline and life expectancy increase. However, CVDs remain the leading cause of death in both high/middle and low income countries (WHO, 2008). The burden of coronary heart disease and stroke is determined both by a significant decrease in patients’ quality of life and the economic expenditures of healthcare aimed at treating these conditions and managing their complications. The overall CVD risk is more or less the same in men and women, but a detailed analysis shows a clear dependence on the patient age. The CVD risk in men is comparable to the CVD risk in women of younger age groups, i.e. CVD incidence rates in women are about ten years behind such rates in men. CVDs are of major concern for women who enter menopause. The changing endocrine profile predisposes to an increase in the cardiovascular event rates due to a combination of risk factors such as visceral obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, impaired glucose regulation, homeostasis disorders, and vascular dysfunction. However, an independent association between age-related degenerative changes in the ovaries and CVD risk has been established primarily in women with premature and early menopause (<40– 45 years). Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) significantly reduces most CVD risks. The effectiveness of the prevention of irreversible effects of oestrogen deficiency is ensured by the timely MHT start during the very first pathological changes in female health or in the late stage of the menopausal transition/early postmenopausal stage (><60 years or within ten years after the last menstrual period). The concept of prescribing MHT within the “window of therapeutic opportunity” produces a favourable benefit-risk ratio for patients.>˂40– 45 years). Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) significantly reduces most CVD risks. The effectiveness of the prevention of irreversible effects of oestrogen deficiency is ensured by the timely MHT start during the very first pathological changes in female health or in the late stage of the menopausal transition/early postmenopausal stage (˂60 years or within ten years after the last menstrual period). The concept of prescribing MHT within the “window of therapeutic opportunity” produces a favourable benefit-risk ratio for patients.