Birth Control And The Heart
January 21, 2009 by jody
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
In the past birth control pills had high levels of progestin and estrogen, which caused women to be at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. If the women were smoker’s and over the age of 35, they were at a greater risk.
The birth control pills that are prescribed today contain lower levels of hormones and considered safe. Women that are younger than 35 that do not have a history of high blood pressure or smoking are in this category.
Those women over the age of 35, with high blood pressure and other high risk factors including smoking still put themselves at risk for heart disease and blood clots.
Discuss the risk factors with your health care provider. The American Heart Association suggests that women should have yearly check-ups that test their blood pressure, triglyceride, and glucose levels.
To learn more about birth control pills click here Texas Heart Institute
