Menopause news

HRT and stroke.

29 March 2006

There has been some concern that use of HRT may increase the risk of stroke, the Women's health Initiative trial showing a small increase. In the WHI, in women aged 50 to 59 not taking HRT, stroke occurred in 3 per 1000 women over 5 years. 5 years of HRT was associated with 1 additional case. However, a study reported in Maturitas [Ref 31] examined the risk of stroke in relation to HRT use in almost 17,000 women aged 45 to 73 years in Sweden. The results showed no significant association between HRT use and risk of stroke in women over 10.5 years of follow up. Those women who did have a stroke while on HRT, the risk was associated with advancing age, being overweight, smoking and hypertension.

This further information provides reassurance regarding HRT use and risk of stroke.

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