Women And Heart Attack Risk

One special aspect of heart disease preventive intervention is specific to post-menopausal women and involves replacement of estrogens.

At menopause, due to atrophy of the glands called ovaries, the level of the female hormone estrogen decreases. This leads to several effects that collectively produce the post-menopausal syndrome. Estrogens are also partly responsible for the lower risk that women have for heart disease as compared to men.

Estrogen replacement therapy is considered in postmenopausal women, especially in those with multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as elevated LDL. Recommendations are individualized in accordance with other health risks.