We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Hormone Levels Alter CVD Risk in Older Women

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Jun 2018
Print article
Image: Testosterone/estradiol ratio and the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and heart failure (HF) in post-menopausal women (Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine).
Image: Testosterone/estradiol ratio and the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and heart failure (HF) in post-menopausal women (Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine).
Higher androgen and lower estrogen levels are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in women; however, studies on sex hormones and incident CVD events in women have yielded conflicting results.

Studies have shown that, prior to menopause, women have lower heart disease rates than men, and because estrogen levels drop sharply after menopause, physicians once thought that replacing estrogen would reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Other studies have shown replacement female hormones were not necessarily protective and could possibly raise the risk of strokes, blood clots and heart disease.

A team of scientists working with Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore, MD, USA) analyzed data from 2,834 postmenopausal women who had participated in the federally funded Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Participants were a mean age of 65 at the start of the study, and 38% white, 28% African-American, 22% Hispanic and 12% Chinese-American. At an initial visit that took place between 2000 and 2002, scientists took blood samples and measured levels of testosterone and estradiol.

Over 12 years of follow up, the women had 283 instances of cardiovascular disease, including 171 instances of coronary heart disease and heart attacks, 88 strokes and 103 instances of heart failure as determined by medical records, hospitalizations, telephone interviews and death certificates. When team compared testosterone and estradiol levels to instances of heart and cardiovascular diseases, they found, in general, that higher testosterone was associated with increased risk and higher estradiol levels with lower risk. For every standardized unit increase in the ratio of testosterone to estrogen, there was a 19% increase in cardiovascular disease risk, a 45% increase in coronary heart disease risk and a 31% increase in heart failure risk.

Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, associate professor of medicine and a senior author of the study, said, “A woman's sex hormone levels and ratios of them isn't something that physicians regularly check. Because an imbalance in the proportion of testosterone (the main male sex hormone) to estrogen (the main female sex hormone) may affect heart disease risk, physicians may want to think about adding hormone tests to the toolbox of screenable risk factors, like blood pressure or cholesterol, to identify women who may be at higher risk of heart or vascular disease.” The study was published in the June 2018 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Related Links:
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.