Research: Hormonal contraception boosts heart attack, stroke risk

  

June 14, 2012 (WLS) -- It has long been known that certain kinds of birth control can increase the risk of clots in the legs and lungs. Now, a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests hormonal contraception also increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke in women.

The research indicates that the risk for heart attacks and strokes is twice as high among users of combined estrogen-progestin versions.

These include brands such as Yasmin and Yaz pills, the NuvaRing vaginal ring and Ortho Evra patches. However, the overall odds of suffering such debilitating effects are still quite low.

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