Cardiovascular benefits of estrogen replacement therapy.

Epidemiologic case-study and cohort-study data concerning effects of estrogen replacement therapy on the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women are reviewed. Although there is conflicting literature, most research strongly suggests that estrogens, and estrogen replacement therapy in particular, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Such reduced risk in estrogen users is most likely mediated in part by the beneficial effects of estrogen therapy on lipid metabolism. Risks associated with the use of estrogens and possible effects when progestational agents are added to an estrogen regimen are also discussed.