Malignant Hypertension in Association with Low Estrogen Dose Oral Contraceptives: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Malignant hypertension (MH) has been described in association with high-dose (50 - 100 mcg) estrogen oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Although the rise in blood pressure (BP) is usually mild, some women will have a more significant increase in BP, and hypertensive emergencies may very rarely occur. We present a 21-year-old Caucasian female with a past medical history of fibromyalgia and family history of hypertension (both grandparents) who was admitted with a three-day history of headache and blurring of vision in her left eye with a BP of 210/150. Her medications, which were continued on admission, included tramadol, 100 mg twice daily (bid), and low-dose estrogen OCP. During the hospital course, she received different antihypertensive medications and her hypertension was controlled. A diagnosis of MH due to OCP was made. All antihypertensive medications were stopped, except metoprolol, and the patient was discharged home on metoprolol with a BP of 107/55 mmHg. On follow-up in the medical clinic three months later, her visual disturbances had completely resolved and her BP was 98/56 mmHg.  One-third of patients aged 15 - 44 years old who develop MH are likely to be on high-dose estrogen OCP. As far as we know, our case is the third documented case of MH occurring in patients on low-dose estrogen OCP. Chronic use of oral contraceptives will slightly increase the systemic BP in most women. It is advisable to avoid OCP in high-risk patients and do regular BP checks on patients on OCP. In patients presenting with hypertension or MH while on OCP, the OCP should be discontinued.