Regular aerobic exercise and HRT were associated with higher carotid arterial compliance, and a 3-month exercise program increased compliance by approximately 40% (P<0.05).
Does regular aerobic exercise and hormone replacement therapy improve carotid arterial compliance in healthy postmenopausal women?
Regular aerobic exercise and hormone replacement therapy are associated with improved carotid arterial compliance in postmenopausal women, with short-term exercise restoring compliance in previously sedentary women on HRT.
p-value: p=<0.05
OBJECTIVE: Carotid arterial compliance is reduced with age in sedentary estrogen-deficient women, contributing to the development of cardiovascular disorders. We determined the effects of regular aerobic exercise, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and their interaction on carotid arterial compliance using a combination of cross-sectional and intervention study designs. METHODS: Cross-sectionally, we studied three groups of healthy postmenopausal women (50-80 years): 20 sedentary not taking HRT; 24 sedentary taking HRT; and 14 endurance-trained not taking HRT; and 11 sedentary premenopausal controls (20-37 years). In the intervention study, 12 sedentary postmenopausal women (58+/-3 years) who were taking HRT were studied before and after participation in a 3-month aerobic exercise (walking) program. Carotid arterial compliance was measured via simultaneous common carotid artery ultrasound imaging and applanation tonometry. RESULTS: Cross-sectional study. Carotid arterial compliance was lower (P<0.001) in all three postmenopausal groups compared with premenopausal women. Among the postmenopausal groups, arterial compliance was 33-43% higher in the sedentary HRT and endurance-trained women than in their sedentary estrogen-deficient peers. Intervention study. Arterial compliance increased (P<0.05) by approximately 40% to levels that were no longer different than premenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: HRT use and regular aerobic exercise are associated with augmented carotid arterial compliance in healthy postmenopausal women. Moderate, short-term aerobic exercise can restore carotid arterial compliance in previously sedentary postmenopausal women taking HRT.
Kerrie L. Moreau (Sat,) conducted a other in Healthy women (n=81). Aerobic exercise and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) vs. Sedentary estrogen-deficient women and premenopausal controls was evaluated on Carotid arterial compliance (p=<0.05). Regular aerobic exercise and HRT were associated with higher carotid arterial compliance, and a 3-month exercise program increased compliance by approximately 40% (P<0.05).