Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Prevention of cardiovascular events in early menopause: a possible role for hormone replacement therapy
Roberto Antonicelli1, Fabiola Olivieri, Valeria Morichi
1Division of Cardiology, Italian National Research Centre on Ageing, Ancona, Italy. r.antonicelli@inrca.it
Insights
Menopause increases cardiovascular disease risk in women, potentially due to estrogen loss. This review examines hormonal changes and risk factors to better evaluate estrogen therapy for postmenopausal women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Heart disease is a leading cause of mortality in women.
- Cardiovascular disease risk factors increase post-menopause, but the cause (aging vs. estrogen deprivation) is debated.
- Estrogen's role in cardiovascular health is complex, with conflicting evidence from observational studies and clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.
- To specifically address early and surgical menopause.
- To inform the evaluation of exogenous estrogen therapy in postmenopausal populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.
- Focus on the roles of aging, estrogen deprivation, inflammation, estrogen receptor pathways, and genetic susceptibility.
- Synthesis of current understanding regarding cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
Main Results:
- Observational data suggest a cardioprotective effect of estrogens.
- Randomized trials indicate potential negative cardiovascular effects of oral estrogens for primary and secondary prevention.
- Emerging research highlights the significance of inflammation, estrogen receptor signaling, and genetic factors.
Conclusions:
- The precise contribution of estrogen deprivation versus aging to postmenopausal cardiovascular risk requires further elucidation.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for personalized risk assessment and therapeutic decisions regarding estrogen therapy.
- Further research is needed to clarify the nuanced role of estrogens and related pathways in female cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Heart disease is a major cause of illness and death in women. It is well known that there is an increase in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors after the menopause, but it is still unclear whether the change in risk factors after the menopause is only related to the aging process or is principally due to estrogen deprivation. Observational studies suggest a protective role for estrogens, whereas recent randomized controlled trials report a negative effect of oral estrogens on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The role of inflammation in the process of atherogenesis and in determining the cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women has been focused only recently as well as the role of the estrogen receptor system in different tissues and the role of genetic susceptibility to adverse events during estrogen therapy. The objective of this work was to review the current understanding of the relationships between cardiovascular disease risk factors and hormonal age-related changes in postmenopausal women and particularly in early and surgical postmenopausal women, for a more appropriate evaluation of the expected effects of therapy with exogenous estrogens in a specific sample of the large population of postmenopausal women.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Menopause
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
01:17Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures