Modern Hormone Therapy Shows No Increased Heart Risk in Long-Term Study
A large-scale study of over 52,000 women suggests that modern hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not increase the risk of cardiovascular events or premature death. The findings offer reassurance for women starting treatment during midlife.
Why it matters
This study helps clarify long-standing medical concerns regarding HRT, potentially changing clinical approaches to menopause management.
Women who begin modern hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during midlife do not appear to face a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, or premature death, according to a large study that followed more than 52,000 women for an average of 12 years. The findings, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026, offer further reassurance about the cardiovascular safety of contemporary hormone therapy, particularly for women who begin treatment before age 60 and have no history of cardiovascular disease.
Concerns about HRT have persisted for more than two decades, largely because earlier clinical trials linked hormone treatment to increased cardiovascular risks. However, many of those studies involved older hormone formulations, higher doses, or women who started therapy years after menopause.
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