People Taking Hormonal Therapy Have Higher Risk of Heart Disease

Thanks for sharing this study. Is there any data indicating if the risk of heart attack or stroke outweighs the benefit of an AI?

The interpreting radiologists are starting to write "coronary artery calcification" on my CT reports now. I do not have high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, smoking, or very high stress. Just ten years of anti-estrogen therapy and a pretty bad family history on one side of heart attacks and strokes. Cancer on the other side. Sheesh. With mbc I can't exactly opt out of hormonal therapy, can I?

This is precisely why I refused Letrozole. My oncologist wanted me to stay on it. I never wanted it in the first place but she convinced me to take it. I did for 6 months. It dramatically increased my cholesterol which is why I stopped. I already have high blood pressure, treated with three medications!

For many, hormonal therapy is well worth the risks involved, but there are also many, like myself, who have a strong family history of heart disease and a greater risk of heart attack or stroke, than of returning/metastatic breast cancer and benefit more by NOT taking them.

It sure would be nice if these decisions about breast cancer were easy, but they aren't. The best any of us can do is get information like this, apply it to ourselves and make the choices that are best for us.

hi everyone,

I am concerned about this study since I do have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I’ve been thinking about quitting Anastrozole because I’ve been experiencing severe joint pain in my fingers as well as “trigger “ finger. I had mild arthritis in my hands before I started taking Anastrozole, but now it is terrible! I’ve been on this drug for a year.
ps. My hands are super stiff in the morning. thanks for your feedback.