Oral Contraceptives and Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Myocardial Infarction and StrokeIt is now established that in addition to increasing the risk of venous thromboembolic disease, oral contraceptives increase the risks of myocardial infarction, thrombotic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke.¹¹ (Some recent data suggest that oral contraceptives may also increase the risk of other forms of cardiovascular disease,¹⁷ but the findings are inconclusive and are therefore not considered in this review.) Vital statistics and epidemiologic studies in Great Britain and the United States show that among nonpregnant women of reproductive age who are not using oral contraceptives, the risks of myocardial infarction and stroke (of both categories) increase . . .