About Women's Health Research shows that women acquire most of their information concerning heart disease from television and magazines. However, because every woman is unique, relying on mass media for advice isn't the best way to stay healthy. Your best resource for minimizing your risk for heart disease is your primary care physician. The Hormone Question Both male and female hormones can affect a woman's risk of heart disease.
Male hormones have the opposite effect.
Since low HDL is a strong predictor of heart disease in women, your PCP should help you weigh the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy. For women taking oral contraceptives, there is only a slight increased risk for heart disease. For postmenopausal women, past research suggested that postmenopausal estrogen therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. New research shows less difference. To detect heart disease, your physician may suggest a test.