Women with high cholesterol, who are successfully controlling it by diet, exercise, medication, or a combination of these treatments, may be able to safely use oral contraceptives (OCs). OCs change the lipid profile but keep it within the normal range. They do not increase the risk of the types of heart disease linked to high cholesterol. Women who use the higher dose OCs do not have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease. Animal studies show that the OC protects against development of atherosclerosis. The estrogen component may provide this protection. It may protect against the development of coronary heart disease. Women with a rare genetic form of high cholesterol or severely high cholesterol that does not respond to medication may need to use another contraceptive method than OCs. Other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women are sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, obesity (30

来源：Contraception Report 1996 年 6卷 6 Suppl期