The American Heart Association, which published the results of Hsia's calcium and vitamin D trial in February 2007 in its journal, "Circulation," said that the study did not have the last say on the issue of supplements.
Laura McGinnis, a representative for the American Heart Association said that the study "opens an important dialogue" on women's cardiovascular health.
"Women approaching or undergoing menopause are encouraged to take calcium supplements to reduce their risk for osteoporosis ... On its own, this study is not enough for the American Heart Association to change its guidelines regarding heart disease in women," she said.
Hsia explained that women should not stop taking these supplements, however, as the benefits include lowering blood pressure and increasing bone density. However, Hsia warned, women cannot expect supplements to act as substitutes for healthy lifestyles. Instead she insists that the best way to protect the heart and bones is through eating a diet low in saturated fat, not smoking, getting cholesterol checked and keeping blood pressure under control.
She emphasizes that women should begin monitoring their health as early as possible. "You can even acquire good habits starting in college ... at age 21 everyone should know their cholesterol profile," she said.
Hsia, who received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Illinois, completed her internship at Tufts-New England Medical Center. She came to GW to complete a fellowship in 1984, is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine and has been a professor in the GW Medical Center since 1986. Today, while she practices cardiology, Hsia stays involved with the WHI and research concerning women's health.
According to its mission statement, WHI is "one of the most definitive, far reaching programs of research on women's health in the U.S." with 40 clinical centers at universities across the country including GW, Stanford, Northwestern, Brown and Emory.
Other WHI research in which Hsia has been involved includes an estrogen and progestin trial. It found that women who took a particular combination of estrogen and progestin suffered from more heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer than those who took a placebo.
Laura McGinnis, a representative for the American Heart Association said that the study "opens an important dialogue" on women's cardiovascular health.
"Women approaching or undergoing menopause are encouraged to take calcium supplements to reduce their risk for osteoporosis ... On its own, this study is not enough for the American Heart Association to change its guidelines regarding heart disease in women," she said.
Hsia explained that women should not stop taking these supplements, however, as the benefits include lowering blood pressure and increasing bone density. However, Hsia warned, women cannot expect supplements to act as substitutes for healthy lifestyles. Instead she insists that the best way to protect the heart and bones is through eating a diet low in saturated fat, not smoking, getting cholesterol checked and keeping blood pressure under control.
She emphasizes that women should begin monitoring their health as early as possible. "You can even acquire good habits starting in college ... at age 21 everyone should know their cholesterol profile," she said.
Hsia, who received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Illinois, completed her internship at Tufts-New England Medical Center. She came to GW to complete a fellowship in 1984, is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine and has been a professor in the GW Medical Center since 1986. Today, while she practices cardiology, Hsia stays involved with the WHI and research concerning women's health.
According to its mission statement, WHI is "one of the most definitive, far reaching programs of research on women's health in the U.S." with 40 clinical centers at universities across the country including GW, Stanford, Northwestern, Brown and Emory.
Other WHI research in which Hsia has been involved includes an estrogen and progestin trial. It found that women who took a particular combination of estrogen and progestin suffered from more heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer than those who took a placebo.
