[The influence of HRT on exercise performance in women with coronary artery disease]

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on exercise tolerance and ischemia during treadmill exercise test.

Design: Prospective, cohort study.

Materials and methods: Fifty-six postmenopausal women with proven coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled into the study (31 were assigned to HRT and 25 were matched as a control group). Clinically both groups were comparable. All patients underwent treadmill exercise test at the beginning and after 12 months of follow up.

Results: After 12-months of follow-up exercise tolerance increased significantly and similarly in both groups: duration time (sec): HRT 347 +/- 142 to 401 +/- 113; control 328 +/- 112 to 368 +/- 120; workload (MET): 6.6 +/- 2.1 to 6.8 +/- 2.0 and 6.1 +/- 1.9 to 6.8 +/- 1.7; time to onset of ischemia (sec): 256 +/- 116 to 293 +/- 120 and 238 +/- 87 to 299 +/- 133. Number of leads with ST changes and total sum (mm) of ST depression in all leads did not change significantly. All above parameters were comparable at baseline and after 12 months follow-up between both groups.

Conclusions: Short term, combined, transdermal HRT does not improve exercise tolerance nor coronary ischemia during exercise test in women with CAD.