Abstract
Hormone replacement therapy is universely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD)
in observational studies, but it is unknown whether this association is mediated by
the autonomic nervous system. We tested the hypothesis that postmenopausal hormone
replacement therapy was associated with more favorable heart rate (HR) and heart rate
variability (HRV) in a population sample of women (n = 2,621). Hormone therapy use was measured at four examinations beginning in 1987. Supine
HR and HRV indices were measured for 6 minutes at the final examination (1996–1998).
In unadjusted linear regression models, hormone therapy was associated with lower
HR (hormone use = 64.7 vs. never = 65.7 beats/min, P = .01) and higher HRV. However, following adjustment for age and CHD risk factors, both
associations were eliminated. Results from this observational study suggest that hormone
therapy is not associated with HR or HRV. These analyses should be replicated in a
randomized trial.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 19,
2002
Received in revised form:
November 14,
2002
Received:
April 1,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
