Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

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Heart disease

Estrogen helps decrease "bad" cholesterol and increase "good" cholesterol in the bloodstream. Because lower levels of "bad" cholesterol and higher levels of "good" cholesterol are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease, researchers thought that HRT should lower risk by changing these levels.

However, the WHI has shown that this is not true. The number of heart attacks actually increased 29% among women taking estrogen and progestin. Put another way, WHI researchers estimate that 37 of every 10,000 women taking HRT will have a heart attack, while 30 in 10,000 not taking HRT will have a heart attack.

The Heart Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS) published earlier in 2002 also showed no benefit on the heart of taking estrogen and progestin. These women were followed for almost seven years.

HRT should not be given strictly for the prevention of high cholesterol or heart disease. Generally, lifestyle changes and medications to lower cholesterol and control blood pressure are recommended for those conditions.