Hormone replacement therapy in ischemic heart disease prevention in women. Arguments against

Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most difficult issues women and their doctors face. Epidemiological studies have consistently found that women using hormone replacement therapy are at a substantially lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. Observational data are supported by findings demonstrating that hormone replacement therapy improves several risk factors o coronary heart disease, specially the favourable changes in lipid profile. However, no study has clearly established hormones help prevent heart disease. In women without heart disease, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy are unclear. However, recent clinical trials have sown that the use of hormone replacement therapy does not provide cardiovascular benefits in women with established heart disease.