HRT AND EXERCISE EFFECTS ON CENTRAL ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 遍布全身的动脉僵硬度的增加与心脏病的风险增加有关。 绝经后，女性患心血管疾病的风险更高，可能是由于雌激素的损失。 心血管疾病风险的增加可能部分是由于动脉僵硬度的增加。 激素替代疗法（HRT）和定期锻炼已被证明与心血管疾病的风险降低有关，并可能通过对动脉壁的有利影响产生保护作用。 拟议的方案将确定三种不同类型的HRT的效果，以及HRT和运动对改善颈部动脉（颈动脉）僵硬度以及改善心脏和神经系统功能的综合效果。绝经后妇女将被随机分配到四组之一：结合雌激素，口服雌二醇，雌激素贴剂，或安慰剂（无药物）。 3个月后，这些妇女将接受一项以家庭为基础的锻炼计划，包括每周5-7天，每天40-45分钟的中等强度步行。 妇女将继续采取他们的HRT，同时参加3个月的步行计划。 将在研究开始时和治疗6个月后测量颈动脉和心脏的超声图像。 研究的主要结果将是确定接受HRT和/或锻炼的女性是否表现出动脉僵硬度的改善。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Increases in the stiffness of arteries located throughout the body are associated with a higher risk for heart disease. After menopause, women have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease possibly due to the loss of estrogen. The increased risk for cardiovascular disease may be due, in part, to the increase in the stiffness of the arteries. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and regular exercise have been shown to be associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, and may be producing their protective effects through favorable effects on the walls of the artery. The proposed protocol will determine the effects of three different types of HRT and the combined effects of HRT and exercise on improving the stiffness of arteries located in your neck (carotid), as well as on improving the function of your heart and nervous system. Postmenopausal women will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: conjugated estrogen, oral estradiol, estrogen patch, or placebo (no medication). After 3 months, the women will be placed on a home-based endurance-exercise program consisting moderate intensity walking for 40-45 minutes a day, 5-7 days per week. The women will continue to take their HRT while participating in the 3 month walking program. Ultrasound images of the carotid artery and heart will be measured at the beginning of the study and after 6 months of the therapy. The primary outcome of the study will be to determine whether women taking HRT and/or exercise demonstrate an improvement in the stiffness or their arteries.