Study: Estrogen Cuts Cholesterol

Estrogen supplements can reduce cholesterol in post-menopausal women with heart disease but raise heart attack risk in those with healthy hearts, a new study says. Scientists say they need to do more research to figure out the reason for the different effect of the supplements.

Findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association are based on data from the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study, or HERS. It involves 2,763 post-menopausal women with heart disease. The study was conducted at 20 clinical centers nationwide.

The study found estrogen-progestin supplements reduced elevated levels of a type of cholesterol that has been linked to heart disease. But in women with low levels of the cholesterol, the hormones seemed to raise the risk of a heart attack.

Millions of women take estrogen supplements to ease hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause and to protect themselves against osteoporosis. Doctors have long believed that estrogen wards off heart attacks. The American Heart Association said the new findings are too inconclusive to suggest women with heart disease start or discontinue using hormones.

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