BACKGROUND Low-dose oral contraceptives are widely used, but there are limited data on the cerebrovascular risks associated with these medications. OBJECTIVE To determine whether use of low-dose oral contraceptives influences the risk for stroke. DESIGN Population-based case-control study. SETTING Women 18-44 years of age who resided in western Washington State between 1991 and 1995. PA...

During 1968-I972, 4 women of4I years or less were admitted with a myocardial infarction. Three ofthem had been taking oral contraceptives, all were moderate to heavy smokers, and the fathers of all of them had had a myocardial infarct after the age of 5o years. One had slight hypertension while using oral contraceptives and her serum cholesterol and lipids were increased. Details of all 3 cases...