Objectives:

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

Methods:

Cases of first myocardial infarction in women below the age of 45 years were ascertained by weekly telephone calls to 53 collaborating hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island , and 40 hospitals in Pennsylvania . Cases were interviewed in the hospital before discharge or by telephone at home. About four hospital controls under 45 years of age were interviewed per case.

Results:

The risk of myocardial infarction was greatly increased among women who were current oral contraceptive users and who smoked ≥25 cigarettes per day.

Investigators:

Lynn Rosenberg, Sc.D., Principal Investigator
Julie Palmer, Sc.D., Co-Investigator

Source of funding:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Study Period:

January 1995 – April 1999

Publications:

Link to Publications