Oral contraceptive use in older women and fatal myocardial infarction. Issue 6033 (21st August 1976)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mann, J I; Inman, W H; Thorogood, M
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 2:Issue 6033(1976)
• Page Start: 445
• Page End: 447
• Publication Date: 1976-08-21
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.6033.445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : A previous study of women who had died from myocardial infarction and of a control group of women matched with them for age suggested a fivefold increase in the risk of death from myocardial infarction among users of oral contraceptive aged 40-44 years compared with women not using such preparations. Only a small proportion of women in the infarction and control groups had used oral contraceptives, however, so the margin of error was wide. We therefore investigated a further 54 women in this age group who died from myocardial infarction and compared their oral contraceptive histories with those of age-matched, living controls. Combination of the findings from the present investigation with the previous results have enabled a revised estimate of a threefold increase in risk to be made. Although this risk estimate is similar to that previously shown for a younger age group, the total mortality attributable to complications associated with the use of oral contraceptives remained considerably greater among women over the age of 40.