“If you are struggling with menopause symptoms but worry about the potential risks of hormone therapy, talk with your doctor to put your personal risk into perspective”.1
Umbrella
What may the Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Heart Disease
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Therapy (HT)
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
Cardiovascular Diseases
What are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)?
DotS the definition of CVDs may vary. The World Health Organization’s definition is:
Type
What can it be important to be clear about with hormone therapy (HT) and heart disease risk information?
I think it can be important to be clear about the type of HT and whether heart disease risk information is about – Estrogen Plus Progestogen HT or Estrogen-Alone HT.
Younger Than Age 60 or Not
What can it also be important to be clear about with HT and heart disease risk information?
I think it can also be important to be clear about whether HT and heart disease risk information is about women “younger than age 60 years or within 10 years of menopause” or not.
Younger Than Age 60
For women younger than age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, what is the association between HT and heart disease risk?
On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy: Potential Risks the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) in June 2017 explain:
“Some studies suggest that HT might be good for your heart if you start before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause”.3
After Age 60
For women after age 60 or further than 10 years from menopause, what is the association between HT and heart disease risk?
On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks the NAMS also explain:
“However, if you start HT further from menopause or after age 60 , HT might slightly increase your risk of heart disease. Although there are risks associated with taking HT, they are not common, and most go away after you stop treatment. In general, HT is associated with fewer than 2 additional harmful events per 1,000 women per year. For example, the increased chance of breast cancer with HT use is 1 extra case per 1,000 women per year”.4
NICE Guidelines
What do the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines explain about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of heart disease?
In Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Benefits and Risks of HRT the NICE explain about Heart Disease and Stroke (Cardiovascular Disease):
- If you start HRT before you’re 60 it does not increase your risk of cardiovascular disease
- HRT does not affect your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease
- HRT tablets (but not patches or gels) slightly raise the risk of stroke. However, it is important to remember that the risk of stroke in women under 60 is very low.
If you’re already at higher risk of cardiovascular disease it may still be possible for you to take HRT but it will depend on your individual circumstances. Your GP can give you more information”.5
Who is a GP?
Dots and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.
Estrogen Plus Progestogen
Is there an association between estrogen plus progestogen MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy) and cardioprotection?
One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:
- “Data on estrogen plus progestogen MHT initiated in women younger than age 60 years or within 10 years of menopause show a less compelling trend for mortality benefit, and evidence on cardioprotection is less robust with inconsistent results compared to the estrogen-alone group”.6
Estrogen-Alone
Is there an association between estrogen-alone MHT and myocardial infarction?
One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefits/Risk Profile of MHT is:
- “RCTs and observational data as well as meta-analyses provide evidence that standard-dose estrogen-alone MHT may decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality when initiated in women younger than 60 years of age and/or within 10 years of menopause”.7
What is RCTs?
RCTs can be an abbreviation for Randomized Controlled Trials.
What is myocardial infarction?
DotS myocardial infarction can be another term for heart attack.
History Risk
With a history of heart attack, heart disease or blood clots, can the risks of HT outweigh the benefits?
In Menopause Hormone Therapy and Your Heart: Who Should Not Take Hormone Therapy the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:
“If you’ve had a heart attack, menopause hormone therapy is not for you. If you already have heart disease or you have a history of blood clots, the risks of hormone therapy have been clearly shown to outweigh any potential benefits”.8
Health Care Provider
If I choose to use HT what are my risks of heart disease?
Different women who choose to use HT can have different risks of heart disease. It may therefore be in your best interest to also choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The Mayo Clinic explain:
“If you are struggling with menopause symptoms but worry about the potential risks of hormone therapy, talk with your doctor to put your personal risk into perspective”.9
One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section B: General Principles Governing the Use of MHT is:
- “The option of MHT is an individual decision in terms of quality of life and health priorities as well as personal risk factors such as age, time since menopause and the risk of VTE, stroke, ischemic heart disease and breast cancer. MHT should not be recommended without a clear indication for its use”.10
What is VTE?
VTE can be an abbreviation for Venous Thromboembolism.
In Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – You and Your Doctor: A Heart Healthy Partnership the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) also remind us:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Health Topics A-Z
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease and Women
- Hormone Therapy
- Hormone Therapy 2016 Revised Global Consensus Statement
- Hormone Therapy 2017 Update for Chronic Conditions
- Hormone Therapy Alternatives
- Hormone Therapy Benefits and Risks
- Hormone Therapy Risks
- Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease, Stroke Prevention
- Menopause and Cardiovascular Disease
Links
Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Heart Disease?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): 4. Misunderstanding – MHT Increases the Risk of Heart Disease
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Cardiovascular Diseases
Combined Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
- Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Consumer Health: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Heart Health
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
Different Heart Diseases
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
- Estrogen & Hormones
- Estrogen & Hormones: Estrogen and the Cardiovascular System
- Estrogen & Hormones: Postmenopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Family History
- Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women, United States]
- HRT: Benefits and Risks – What You Should Know
- Healthy Body: Top 10 Healthy Heart Tips
- Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Alternatives
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe, Despite Rare Blood Clot Risks From Tablets
- Hormone Therapy In Postmenopausal Women: Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions
- Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
- Hormones and Your Heart
- Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
- How Does Hormone Therapy Affect Heart Health In Transgender People?
- Infographic: Treat Your Heart As A House
- Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
- Ischemic Heart Disease: What Should Women Know?
- Key Facts [Cardiovascular Disease]
- Know Your Numbers? They Could Just Save Your Life
- Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
- Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
- Listen To Your Heart: Learn About Heart Disease – What Are Your Risk Factors for Heart Disease?
- Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
- Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Heart Disease? [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause Hormone Therapy and Your Heart
- Menopause Hormone Therapy and Your Heart: How To Limit the Risks
- Menopause Hormone Therapy: Follow-Up Appointments?
- Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
- Menopause Management: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – Cardiovascular Disease
- Menopause Treatment
- Menopause and Heart Disease
- Menopause and Heart Disease
- Menopause and Heart Disease: Does HRT Affect Your Risk of Heart and Circulatory Disease?
- Menopause and Your Health
- Menopause – Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT) Safe? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – Non-Hormonal Treatment Options [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Medicines To Help You
- Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
- Menopause: Non-HRT and Lifestyle Options [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Non-Hormonal Treatment & Relief for Hot Flashes
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cardiovascular Disease
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease: What You Need To Know
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
- Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
- Protect Your Heart
- Report on Latest Menopause Science Looks At Heart Risks
- Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy
- Risk Factors: Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Top Health Checks for Women
- Tuesday Tips: 8 Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease [+ Video]
- Types of Hormone Therapy
- Venous Thrombosis/Thromboembolism Risk and Menopausal Treatments
- Video Series-2018 – Gender Differences In Cardiovascular Health
- Video Series-2018 – Tailoring Estrogen Therapy for Maximum Cardiovascular Health
- Video Series-2019 – Cardiovascular Update: What Women Need To Know
- Video Series-2020 – TSECs—A New Treatment for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- Video Series-2020 – What Women Need To Know About Heart Disease
- Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
- What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
- What It Means To Go Red for Women [+ Video]
- Women and CVD – Facts and Tips: How To Protect Your Heart – Protect Your Heart
- Women and CVD – Facts and Tips: Know Your Numbers
- Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
- Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- World Heart Day 29 September
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Menopause Hormone Therapy and Your Heart: Risks In Perspective. 17 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-replacement-therapy/art-20047550 Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Cardiovascular Diseases. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases#tab=tab_1 Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2017:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2017.pdf Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2017:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2017.pdf Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Benefits and Risks of HRT – Heart Disease and Stroke (Cardiovascular Disease). Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Benefits-and-risks-of-HRT Accessed: 22 February 2021
- De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:313 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 22 February 2021
- De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:313-314 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Menopause Hormone Therapy and Your Heart: Who Should Not Take Hormone Therapy. 17 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-replacement-therapy/art-20047550 Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Menopause Hormone Therapy and Your Heart: Risks In Perspective. 17 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-replacement-therapy/art-20047550 Accessed: 22 February 2021
- De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section B: General Principles Governing the Use of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:314 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 22 February 2021
- Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – You and Your Doctor: A Heart Healthy Partnership. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-truth/heart-disease-not-just-men Accessed: 22 February 2021