Myocardial infarction and stroke in young women: what is the impact of oral contraceptives?

ABSTRACT

PIP: This article reviews seven recent studies that addressed the association between second- and third-generation oral contraceptive (OC) use and the risk of ischemic stroke and/or myocardial infarction. The one US study found no risk of ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction with low-dose OC use, while the European studies detected increased risks of both these events. The European studies showed no difference between OC generations in terms of the occurrence of ischemic stroke; however, the risk of myocardial infarction was consistently lower for third- compared with second-generation OCs. In all instances, cardiovascular risk factors other than OC use, especially smoking and hypertension, play the predominant role in the occurrence of both ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction.