Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

ESTROGEN THERAPY GETS A REPRIEVE

5-year-old study linking to heart risks was misinterpreted, researchers now say

Share

(Newser) – Estrogen replacement therapy was wrongly villified five years ago, when researchers told millions of post-menopausal women to stop taking it because it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a reanalysis of the same data shows. It was a false alarm, the Los Angeles Times reports. In fact, the new analysis says, it reduces heart risks.

New findings published in today's New England Journal of Medicine indicate that HRT doesn't increase risks in patients who start taking it within 10 years of menopause;  those who took HRT for at least 7 years after menopause had 60% less atherosclerosis. One theory is that the benefits occur only if it is started before atherosclerosis sets in; estrogen started later produces the damaging effects.

This image made available by the Duke University Department of Medicine shows a right breast mammogram from a 55 year old woman with extreme breast density. About one in 50 of U.S. women _ those with an unusually high risk of developing breast cancer _ should get MRIs, not...
This image made available by the Duke University Department of Medicine shows a right breast mammogram from a 55 year old woman with extreme breast density. About one in 50 of U.S. women _ those with...   (Associated Press)
Dr. Murray Rebner reviews a mammogram done using digital technology at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.
Dr. Murray Rebner reviews a mammogram done using digital technology at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

46 Stories

 Women Getting 
 Shorter, Heavier 

They'll lose 1 inch and gain 2 pounds by 2409

Oct 21, 09 2:18 PM CDT
(Newser) - Humans are still changing, and the female winners of the evolutionary crapshoot will be shorter and heavier down the line. A new study that tracked the motherly productivity of the slim-and-tall set alongside their squatter peers concludes that a lower center of gravity will win out in the end, and... More »

MORE ABOUT:
evolution • women • menopause • childbirth • human • scientific study • medical study • women's issues • inherited traits

 Heart Doc's Tips 
 for a Healthy Ticker 


South Beach Diet guru shares his secrets

Oct 18, 09 11:56 AM CDT
(Newser) - Arthur Agatston, the cardiologist who cooked up the South Beach Diet, takes no medications and embraces a philosophy of moderation—he's not starving himself or downing dozens of vitamins. He clues Prevention magazine in on his advice for keeping your heart in tip-top shape:
  • Eat four times a day:
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
nutrition • sleep • health • heart • exercise • chocolate • South Beach diet • cardiology • dietary supplement • Arthur Agatston

(AP) - Being fat could become the leading cause of cancer in women in Western countries in the coming years, say European researchers. Being overweight or obese accounts for up to 8% of cancers in Europe. That figure is poised to increase substantially as the obesity epidemic continues, and as major causes... More »

MORE ABOUT:
cancer • obesity • Europe • women • obesity epidemic • fat • estrogen • hormones • scientific study • medical study

46 Stories


The results of the reanalysis
New England Journal of Medicine


Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @Newser on Twitter

 
health • women's health • women • heart • estrogen • menopause • estrogen replacement therapy

from our news partners