Problems posed by birth control in cardiac and hypertensive patients
Soutoul, J.H.; Renaud, M.
Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angeiologie 28(6): 419-422
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3928 PMID: 547837 Document Number: 147292
It is possible these days to prescribe oral contraceptives (OC) to patients suffering from hypertension or from cardiac diseases. Up to now OC was contraindicated for such atients, due to the harmful side effects of progestational agents, estrogen in particular. The use of an IUD was also contraindicated, due to the risk of endometrial infection, or of hemorrhage. The minipill, containing 30 mcg of estrogen, has been used for cardiac and for hypertensive patients for a number of years, and with good results. Continuous surveillance is, however, essential. The new progestin micropill not containing estrogen, when administered without interruption seems not to present any contraindication to cardiac patients, and to be as effective as the IUD. Sexual sterilization should be considered in very serious cases of hypertension or of cardiac diseases.