OKLAHOMA CITY, Posted 4:15 p.m. EST December 27, 2000 -- Women who take hormones after menopause greatly reduce their risk of heart disease, according to a new study.
The study, based on a survey of 70,000 nurses, is significant because coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability for American women. "Women can reduce their cardiovascular risk factors by 40 percent by taking hormonal replacement therapy," Dr. Omega Logan Silva, president of the American Medical Women's Association, said.
But, to prevent heart disease, experts say that post-menopausal women must also increase exercise and keep their cholesterol level low.
Hormone replacement therapy may do even more than protecting a woman's heart.
It also prevents the bone loss of osteoporosis.
Preliminary studies say that hormone replacement therapy may be proven to do even more.
"It also may in fact protect women against colon cancer and certain kinds of dementias," Dr. Trudy Bush said.
However, on the downside, hormone therapy can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. Women with a family history of breast cancer may want to discuss pros and cons of hormone therapy with their doctor.
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