Are Birth control Pills a contributor to Heart Disease?

The oral contraceptive (OC) Pills have revolutionized the fertility industry. The contraceptive practices in modern era give the choice to a couple to decide when to start their family. But like all wonder drugs, it too came with its share of controversies and side effects. One of most talked about the effect being Risk of Cardiovascular Disorder in Patients using OC Pills.

Since inception in the 1960s, there have been wide scale modifications in the hormone included in the OC pills.  The quantities of hormones in the OC Pills have also been varying, from being high to low.

Important points for women:

• Consult a doctor: If you are deciding to opt for oral contraceptive (OC) Pills, it is best advised that you consult a gynecologist. She shall take into consideration your medical history and recommend the best oral contraceptive (OC) Pills for you.
• No history, side effects: While prescribing OC Pills as birth control for a young healthy female the doctors need to ensure that the patient doesn’t suffer from any major side effects and has no prior history of predisposing risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.
• Heart patient needs to be cautious: There is a caution to use of OC Pills in patients of prior cardiac disease. Women with long-term use of OC Pills should go for BP check up 6 months. In the present era of cafeteria approach, contraceptive should be personalized choice based on individual risk factor & duration of use of the same.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy & Heart Risk: Women health initiative [WHI] in study show higher risk of cardiac side effect in previously normal females using OC Pills for post menopausal hormone replacement therapy. An increased risk of Myocardial Infarction has been registered with oral contraceptive (OC) Pills use. Hypertension and VTE have also been reported.

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