Objectives:

To determine whether past use of oral contraceptives is associated with an increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction.

To determine whether noncontraceptive estrogen use is associated with a decreased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Methods:

Cases of first myocardial infarction in women below the age of 65 years were ascertained by weekly telephone calls to collaborating hospitals in Massachusetts , Connecticut , and Rhode Island . In addition, women aged 65 to 69 were ascertained from the Massachusetts collaborating hospitals. Cases were interviewed in the hospital prior to discharge or by telephone at home. Hospital controls under 65 years of age were also interviewed. For each Massachusetts case aged 45 to 69, a matched neighborhood control in the same five year range was interviewed.

Results:

Past oral contraceptive use was unrelated to myocardial infarction risk. Noncontraceptive estrogen use was unrelated to risk of myocardial infarction overall; recent use of long duration was associated with reduced risk but uncontrolled confounding could not be ruled out.

Investigators:

Lynn Rosenberg, Sc.D., Principal Investigator

Source of funding:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Study Period:

April 1985 - September 1990

Publications:

Link to Publications