Abstract

PIP: The statistical frequency of myocardial infarct in women aged 30-39 and 40-44 is presented, comparing the occurrences of those women who are users of oral hormonal contraceptives. The relative risk of myocardial infarct in women using steroid contraceptives as compared with nonusers was estimated at 4.5:1. When combined with the presence of another risk factor, such as hypertension, obesity, heavy smoking, diabetes, or high cholesterol, this relative risk increases to 10.5:1. With 3 or more risk factors, this ratio is 78:1. It appears that the risk of steroid contraceptives tends more toward arterial coronary thrombosis than toward the formation of clots. The action of oral steroid contraceptives is considered to be more synergistic with other risk factors than additive.