Skip to main content
HRT Provides No Heart Benefit, Increases Risk of Blood Clots and Gallstones
posted 07/04/02
Hormone replacement therapy did not reduce the risk of heart problems in 2,763 postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease participating in the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS) for 6.8 years, according to a new report published in JAMA. In a companion article, HRT doubled the risk of thromboembolism (blood clots) (relative hazard = 2.08, 95% CI, 1.28-3.40). Three HRT-group participants died of thromboembolic events. HRT also increased the likelihood of gallbladder surgery (RH = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.12-1.95). The HERS study is funded by Wyeth-Ayerst Research.
References
- Grady D, Herrington D, Bittner V, et al. Cardiovascular disease outcomes during 6.8 years of hormone therapy. JAMA. 2002;288:49-57.
- Hulley S, Furberg C, Barrett-Connor E, et al. Noncardiovascular disease outcomes during 6.8 years of hormone therapy. JAMA. 2002;288:58-66.
