Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills are still relatively new despite their widespread use within the U.S. They were advertised so aggressively by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals that the FDA mandated a public clarification of the company’s past marketing claims. Despite the retraction, Yasmin and Yaz oral contraceptives remain the market leader. As a result, millions of women are exposed to several dangerous side effects, including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and heart attacks.
Yaz Stroke and Heart Attack Risk
Your heart requires oxygen-rich blood in order to stay healthy. The blood travels through your right and left coronary arteries into smaller blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. If any circumstance prevents the delivery of blood, a heart attack will occur. The portion of the heart muscle fed by the arteries will sustain damage. In time, that portion will die and scar tissue will form.
Heart attacks can occur as the result of plaque buildup, blood clots, or severe arterial spasms. All three circumstances can prevent blood flow from traveling through the coronary arteries and reaching the heart muscle. Plaque buildup is usually caused by dietary habits and can be exacerbated by other lifestyle choices. Arterial spasms can be triggered by drug use, emotional stress, smoking, and other factors. Blood clots can be caused by a number of influences, including oral contraceptives such as Yasmin.
Yasmin Birth Control And Heart Attacks
There is an increased risk of experiencing a Yasmin heart attack due to a synthetic hormone called drospirenone. The risk is higher than with other birth control pills that do not include this hormone.
All oral contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) expose women to the possibility of developing blood clots. Yasmin is different. The progestin drospirenone is combined with estrogen to create a “fourth-generation” contraceptive. Recent studies have shown that this progestin, when combined with ethinyl estradiol, sharply increases the risk of clotting. In certain circumstances, this can lead to a heart attack.
Many women have developed deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that forms in a deep vein of the arm, leg, or pelvis) after taking Yasmin birth control. If the clot becomes detached from the site, it can be carried along by the bloodstream. As an embolus (a traveling clot), there is a chance that the blood clot will eventually reach a coronary artery. If it settles into one of the coronary arteries, it can block the passageway and prevent blood from reaching your heart. At that point, a heart attack is imminent.
Filing A Yasmin Lawsuit
The higher risk of blood clots is, in itself, cause for concern. However, it is even more startling that many women who have developed serious side effects after using Yasmin have never shown signs of health problems. Some have experienced gallbladder disease. Others have experienced deep vein thrombosis. Still others have reported Yaz and strokes, pulmonary embolism, and heart problems. There is evidence that Bayer Healthcare knew of the risks, yet neglected to sufficiently warn women.
If you or a loved one has suffered from any of the above side effects, it may be time to join the growing number of women who would like to hold Bayer accountable. Contact a Yaz stroke lawyer to discuss your options.
