Who has heart problems can take certain contraceptives, it depends of the contraceptive, the cardiac problem and the presence of other risk factors such as smoking, age, hypertension, diabetes.
The use of some combined hormonal contraceptives (containing estrogen and progesterone) is contraindicated for people with certain heart problems. Women with high blood pressure on medication; history of deep venous thrombosis or that has already undergone major surgeries; history of ischemic heart disease, infarction or stroke should not use hormonal contraceptives like some pills, patch, injection or vaginal ring which contain estrogen and progesterone together.
In the presence of heart problems, contraceptive options are:
- Pills containing progesterone only;
- IUD;
- Implant subcutaneous.
Women who have a heart problem should seek their gynecologist, general practitioner or family doctor before starting the contraceptive to weigh the risks and choose a method that does not pose additional health risks.
