Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of transdermal estrogen replacement therapy on hypertensive postmenopausal women

We investigated the effects of transdermal 17β-estradiol, combined with standard antihypertensive therapy, on the modification of the cardiovascular risk profile in hypertensive postmenopausal women. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we enrolled 200 postmenopausal women with mild to moderate hypertension. Patients received 17β-estradiol (50 μg/day, transdermal) and norethisterone acetate (2.5 mg/day, orally) or placebo. At baseline serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and fibrinogen plasma levels were measured and all subjects underwent complete M-mode and 2-D echocardiograms, which were repeated after 6, 12, and 18 months of hormonal replacement therapy. Compared with placebo, all values decreased significantly except for HDL cholesterol. In both groups, no modifications were observed in echocardiographic parameters, except for left ventricular mean diastolic and systolic wall thickness and left ventricular mass index, which showed a significant decrease in both groups. The reduction was greater in the treated group; the percentage of patients with left ventricular hypertrophy was 46% before randomization and 17.2% after 18 months of treatment (P< .0001), whereas in group II the percentage was 48% at baseline and 31.5% after 18 months (P< .05). In conclusion, transdermal 17β-estradiol, associated with antihypertensive therapy, may contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular risk profile in hypertensive postmenopausal women.