What are the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Recent research suggests that in the first year of treatment, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk of heart attacks for women who already have narrowing of the coronary arteries due to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It is unclear whether long-term HRT use is heart protective in women without a history of heart disease. Studies are underway to help provide patients and physicians with definitive answers. For women with a history of heart disease, recent research suggests that long-term HRT use affords no protection against a second heart attack, and may even increase the risk slightly.

Women who have heart disease or have had a heart attack should not start HRT (even short term) without first discussing all the benefits and risks of this treatment method with her primary healthcare practitioner and possibly her cardiologist.

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