Myocardial ischaemia in postmenopausal women in Kathmandu valley and role of hormone replacement therapy for its prevention

Abstract

This is a retrospective study of coronary heart disease (CHD) in postmenopausal
women in one calendar year. The study included 186 consecutive women admitted in
two government and one private hospitals in Kathmandu having CCU/ICU beds; the
women were diagnosed with this disease in one calendar year. The epidemiology and
risks factors and role of 'hormone replacement therapy' for its prevention are discussed.
In most of the developed countries, the set standard was that barring any
contraindication, all postmenopausal women with acute myocardial infarction should
be prescribed hormone replacement therapy before being discharged from hospital.
The evidence base of this standard derives from more than 30 epidemiological and
clinical studies and a large body of biological data. However in this study, 'hormone
replacement therapy' in postmenopausal women with myocardial infarction has not
received much attention. Professionals caring for women, who have had myocardial
infarction, need to consider hormone replacement therapy as a secondary prophylaxis
of myocardial infarction. Gynaecologists should liaise with colleagues in other
specialties to ensure that information on the non gynaecological benefits of hormone
replacement therapy is widely disseminated.