Contraceptives and ischemic cardiopathy
García-Bolao, I.; Alegría, E.; Iglesias, I.; Velasco, S.; Alzamora, P.; Fidalgo, M.L.
Revista de Medicina de la Universidad de Navarra 34(3): 144-150
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0556-6177 PMID: 2101493 Document Number: 348652
The incidence of myocardial infarction is higher in women that use oral contraceptives. The most important pathophysiologic mechanisms are: a) modification of coronary risk factors: the pill produces an elevation of both serum cholesterol and trygliceride levels, increase of blood pressure and decompensation of diabetes mellitus; b) blood coagulation disorders: oral contraceptives increase platelet aggregation and fibrinogen blood levels, therefore they have a considerable thrombogenic capacity. At this moment there are several update publications concerning this matter; however most of the mechanisms involved in the increase of coronary heart disease in this specific group still remain unclear.