The randomized, double blind study was conducted in 166 postmenopausal women with congestive heart failure due to idiopathic (i.e.nonischemic) dilated cardiomyopathy and NYHA class II or III symptoms on either combined estrogen and progestin or placebo. Women maintained their then current congestive heart failure medications for six months. Three outcomes were measured: 1) Congestive heart failure severity/functional capacity quantified by maximum oxygen consumption during metabolic stress testing; 2) Left and right ventricular remodeling quantified by electron bean CT scan; 3) quality of life assessment by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure and Kansas City cardiomyopathy questionnaires. In addition, measurements were made of pro-inflammatory markers, that had been demonstrated to be elevated in congestive heart failure to assess whether hormone replacement therapy reduced them.