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Two articles: The first one confirms some of the findings of the WHI study which said hormones (HRT) increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes a small amount. The second discusses the benefit of taking a baby aspirin every day which seems to decrease the risk of a heart attack by 28%. This is why I recommend a baby aspirin for anyone on hormone therapy. To see my complete opinion letter on hormone therapy - click here.
First Article: Analysis confirms hormone replacement dangers
Sep 23(Reuters) - A British study backed US findings on the side-effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on Friday, saying the treatment taken by women to relieve menopause symptoms increases the risk of breast cancer and stroke.
A review of four major studies into the effects of HRT found that women who took the treatment for five years had a higher risk of breast cancer, stroke and blood clots in the lung but were less likely to suffer from bowel cancer or hip fractures.
"The four major trials that have been done, although in different settings and with different combinations (of HRT), really show consistent results," Professor Valerie Beral, of Britain's Cancer Research UK charity, told Reuters.
US FINDINGS BACKED
Beral said her analysis of four trials involving 20,000 postmenopausal women, which is published in The Lancet medical journal, confirm the findings of the US study.
Second Article: Aspirin can cut heart risk for the healthy
January 14, 2002 Posted: 5:05 PM EST (2205 GMT)
By Rhonda Rowland
CNN
January 14, 2002 Posted: 5:05 PM EST (2205 GMT)
By Rhonda Rowland
CNN
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (CNN) -- Healthy adults with even a small risk of a heart attack and no history of cardiovascular disease could benefit from taking aspirin daily, the U.S. Preventive Health Services Task Force said Monday.
Previous studies have recommended aspirin use by people who have already suffered a heart attack or a certain type of stroke.
But the task force also warned that serious side effects are possible, and said some people might be better off taking so-called baby aspirin than regular aspirin. It strongly encouraged doctors to discuss with patients the benefits and dangers of aspirin use in healthy adults
The task force said those who could benefit from aspirin use are men over the age 40, postmenopausal women, and younger people with risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The new report shows regular aspirin use reduced the risk of coronary heart disease by 28 percent in healthy people who have never had a heart attack or stroke.
The report also emphasizes that aspirin can have serious side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding and bleeding in the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke. Because of the potential harm, cardiologists say it's important to carefully assess the benefits and risks of using aspirin. The risk of complications is lower with so-called baby aspirin, which has about 81 mg. aspirin compared with full-strength, which has about 325 mg. aspirin.
"There are many, many people who believe everyone in the world should be on aspirin," said Dr. Valentin Fuster of Mount Sinai Medical Center, who has conducted research on aspirin and heart disease and co-authored the American Heart Association's statement on aspirin use in cardiovascular disease.
So if you take hormones, you must accept a small increased risk of getting breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots and strokes. Compared to other risks we take every day, these risks are small. But hormones shouldn't be taken unless the benefit to how you fell and to your general well-being out-weigh these small risks...and don't forget your baby aspirin. Dr. Rehert
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