TY - JOUR
T1 - Cardiovascular complications of oral contraceptives.
AU - Kaplan, Norman M
PY - 1978
Y1 - 1978
N2 - Cardiovascular complications of oral contraceptives (OCs) are discussed. OCs are safe for most young women for temporary birth control, however, they should not be used by women over age 35 who want no more children. Problems such as hypertension, increased tendency to clot, a rise in triglycerides, and a decrease in glucose tolerance occur in 5-10% of women of any age who take OCs for 5 years. These factors in turn are responsible for complications such as thromboembolism, heart attack, and stroke which occur with increased frequency among OC users. Most who take OCs suffer more subtle disturbances in blood pressure, and biochemical and hormonal levels which may pose additional risks for cardiovascular disease. It is concluded that the risks of OC use often outweigh the benefits, however, prudent use of OCs will improve the balance between risk and benefit.
AB - Cardiovascular complications of oral contraceptives (OCs) are discussed. OCs are safe for most young women for temporary birth control, however, they should not be used by women over age 35 who want no more children. Problems such as hypertension, increased tendency to clot, a rise in triglycerides, and a decrease in glucose tolerance occur in 5-10% of women of any age who take OCs for 5 years. These factors in turn are responsible for complications such as thromboembolism, heart attack, and stroke which occur with increased frequency among OC users. Most who take OCs suffer more subtle disturbances in blood pressure, and biochemical and hormonal levels which may pose additional risks for cardiovascular disease. It is concluded that the risks of OC use often outweigh the benefits, however, prudent use of OCs will improve the balance between risk and benefit.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0017911119&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0017911119&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev.me.29.020178.000335
DO - 10.1146/annurev.me.29.020178.000335
M3 - Review article
C2 - 348038
AN - SCOPUS:0017911119
SN - 0066-4219
VL - 29
SP - 31
EP - 40
JO - Annual review of medicine
JF - Annual review of medicine
ER -