Does hormone therapy (HT) have effects on cardiovascular disease?

Women taking HT (also known as hormone replacement therapy – HRT) appear to have a lower risk of heart disease, but there may be many reasons for this. HT, in tablet form, reduces cholesterol as well as having favourable effects on the blood-vessel wall. However, it also increases the risk of blood clots forming when blood-vessel plaques rupture. Currently HT should be avoided in women with established heart disease. 

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Content updated May 16, 2008