Yasmin and Yaz Heart Problems

by Steve Fields on November 7th, 2009

Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives are the market leaders in birth control products. Yaz alone accounted for an 18% market share in 2008 despite having only been approved by the FDA in 2006. The phenomenal popularity behind these products is due largely to an aggressive advertising campaign launched by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, the drugs’ manufacturer. The problem is, women have reported experiencing a number of Yasmin and Yaz side effects. Some, like cardiac arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat)or Yaz heart attack are potentially life-threatening.

Types Of Cardiac Arrhythmia

Doctors categorize arrhythmias based on their location and the rate of your heartbeat. There are two types: tachycardias and bradycardias. A tachycardia is an arrhythmia in which your heart beats 100 times per minute or faster while at rest. A bradycardia is an arrhythmia in which your heart beats 60 times per minute or slower while at rest. Both can originate in the atria (two upper chambers) or ventricles (two bottom chambers) of your heart.

Yaz Heart Problems 

Your heart is comprised of atria and ventricles. A sinus node is located in the right atrium. This node produces an electrical impulse that causes contractions in your left and right atria. As your atria contract, the blood contained within them is pushed into the lower ventricles. The electrical impulse then travels through the atrioventricular node on its way to your ventricles. Once there, it causes them to contract, pushing the blood out to circulate throughout your body.

An arrhythmia can be caused by several factors, including smoking, drug abuse, diabetes, and health supplements. It can also be caused when the heart muscle suffers damage as the result of a heart attack.

Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills have been known to trigger cardiac arrhythmias. In some cases, it is due to elevated levels of potassium. Because potassium plays a role in helping to regulate your heartbeat, elevated levels can retard its rhythm. Other times, an arrhythmia can be due to a heart attack that is caused by deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein). The clot detaches itself from its site of origin and travels toward the heart. If it blocks a coronary artery, it might induce a heart attack, which can weaken the muscle and make it more prone to rhythmic abnormalities.

Cardiac arrhythmia will impact your heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. As a result, you may become more susceptible to stroke or heart failure.

Yaz Cardiac Arrhythmia: Are You At Risk?

Heart arrhythmias are only one of several potentially life-threatening Yaz and Yasmin side effects. Many women who have shown no signs of health problems have developed blood clots, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, and arrhythmias after taking these birth control pills. If you have already experienced any of these serious side effects, contact a Yaz lawyer to discuss your options including filing a Yaz lawsuit.