Clinical inquiries. What is the risk of adverse outcomes in a woman who develops mild hypertension from OCs?
Women who take oral contraceptives (OCs) have an increased risk of developing new hypertension, which returns to baseline within 1 to 3 months of OC cessation (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on cohort studies). Among large populations of women with hypertension from all causes, risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes is increased (SOR: B, based on Framingham data). Women with pre-existing hypertension who take OCs have an increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction when compared with hypertensive women who do not (SOR: B, based on case-control studies).
Pollara
Trisha
T
Valley Family Medicine Residency, Renton, WA, USA.
Kelsberg
Gary
G
Safranek
Sarah
S
Schrager
Sarina
S
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D018579:Patient Selection
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral