Plasma Renin Concentration, Activity, and Substrate in Hypertension Induced by Oral Contraceptives1

Eleven women were found to be hypertensive while taking oral contraceptive preparations (OCP) containing estrogen and gestagen. Three months after discontinuing medication, blood pressure was normal in 4 of the patients (group A), was intermittently elevated or labile in 2 cases (group B), and remained persistently above normal in 5 cases (group C). While taking OCP, all 11 patients had elevated plasma angiotensinogen (renin substrate). Plasma renin activity (PRA) was significantly increased by oral contraceptives in all 3 groups of patients. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) was profoundly suppressed in groups A and B while taking OCP. PRC was significantly reduced in hypertensive women of group C but not to the same extent as in groups A and B. After stopping OCP for 3 months, all patients had normal levels of renin substrate in plasma. PRA fell into the normal range in all groups after stopping OCP. PRC increased in all groups after stopping OCP but did not reach average normal levels in groups A and B....