Menopause news

HRT use after Heart attack

8 May 2012

The use of HRT in women who have had a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction, MI), continues to be controversial. While increasing evidence is emerging to suggest that the use of HRT in the early menopausal years may well be beneficial in preventing heart disease, it is generally advised that HRT should be stopped if a woman suffers from a heart attack.

However, a study from Denmark published in the British Medical Journal has shown that no certain conclusions can be drawn regarding increased or decreased risk of cardiovascular disease with continuing HRT.

The study followed all Danish women aged 40 years or over who survived 30 days after a heart attack and were prescribed HRT in the period 1997 to 2008. A total of 3322 women were included in the study. There was no significant difference in the rate of further heart attack between women who continued taking HRT and those that did not.

While the use of continued HRT was not shown to provide benefit in reduced risk of further MI, it was also not shown to cause further harm. The decision as to whether or not HRT should be continued after an MI should be made after full discussion between the woman and her doctor and should be influenced by symptoms, osteoporosis risk, age and family history, so as to balance risks against benefits, rather than automatically stopping HRT in this situation.

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