Ask a Texas Heart Institute Doctor
Informed patients make better patients.
Question:
Have there been any studies on the effect of bioidentical hormones in heart patients?
I am a heart patient. I had a massive heart attack in 2007. I got very lucky in that my heart recovered. My EF is 65. I am approaching 50 years old and going through menopause. I am still having periods. Every month from the time I start ovulating until I start bleeding, I have VERY BAD PVC's [premature ventricular contractions]. I have symptoms of heart problems that have landed me in the ER and the doctor's office on several occasions. These heart symptoms are disrupting my life in a major way. I took hormone level blood test. My progesterone is .4. My cardiologist has said no hormone replacement therapy. My question is have there been any studies on the effect of bioidentical hormones in heart patients? Are these safe alternatives? I need some relief. My hot flash symptoms are the very same as when I had a heart attack. Please help.
submitted by Lynn from Anchorage, Alaska on 10/19/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Roberta C. Bogaev, MD
Dear Lynn, Since the publication of the Women's Health Initiave trial demonstrating an increased risk of stroke, venous blood clots, and breast cancer in women who took conventional hormone replacement therapy (CHT), there has been a preciptious decline in the use of CHT. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHT) has been touted by some to be natural, safer, and have greater efficacy. However there is a dearth of scientific evidence to support these claims. BHTs lack well-controlled studies addressing their pharmacokinetics, safety, and rational for the mixtures utilized in many commercial products.
Current evidence-based guidelines support tailoring HT individually, based on a patient's symptoms. The current evidence makes use of compounded BHTs less desirable than CHT, since CHT has been studied in a more rigorous way through large randomized controlled trials. I would encourage you to work with your cardiologist and gynecologist to determine the best regimen to treat your symptoms of menopause and minimize your risks of blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. Thank you for contacting Ask a Heart Doctor.
See also on this site:
Has your question or a similar one already been answered?
Search the Heart Doctor or view a
complete list of Questions and Answers.
| Heart Information Center services are made possible in part by a generous gift from the Hamill Foundation. |
Updated October 2009
