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Cardiovascular Timing Hypothesis

Meaning

A critical concept in hormone therapy, particularly for postmenopausal women, which posits that the effect of exogenous hormone administration on cardiovascular risk is highly dependent on the time elapsed since the onset of menopause. This hypothesis suggests that hormone replacement therapy initiated close to menopause may confer cardiovascular benefits, whereas initiation many years later may increase risk or offer no protection. The physiological window of opportunity is thought to be narrow.