Article:

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. Keywords: Postmenopausal women, myocardial infarction, risk factors, hormone replacement