A Randomized Trial on Effects of Hormone Therapy on Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Lipoprotein Levels in Women with Coronary Artery Disease

Objective: To investigate 1-year effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Sixty patients at a mean age (+/- SD) of 59 +/- 7 years were randomized into three groups: conjugated equine oestrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg daily (n = 20), 50 microg 17beta-oestradiol transdermally (TTSE) per 24 h (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 18 days, then combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg for 10 days. Each cycle of 28 days was repeated for one year.

Results: Night-time systolic ABP had decreased by 9.6% (P= 0.0075) in 15 of 18 women in the CEE group and by 22% in 12 of 13 women (P = 0.0034) in the placebo group after 1 year. In the CEE group, a 4.6% rise in daytime systolic ABP (P< 0.05) and a 4.2% rise in night-time systolic ABP (P< 0.05) appeared from baseline to 6 months in 13 of 18 women. In the CEE group (14 women analysed), high-density lipoprotein levels showed a 15.8% increase (P= 0.0018) in 13 women, low-density lipoprotein levels a 15.2% decrease (P= 0.0129) in 12 women and total cholesterol levels a 7.5% decrease (P = 0.057) in 11 women after 1 year. Triglyceride levels showed no changes. In the TTSE group and in the placebo group, with 12 and 13 women analysed respectively, no significant changes appeared.

Conclusions: One year of HRT in patients with CAD does not influence ABP. Oral HRT induces beneficial effects on lipoprotein levels.