Heart attacks are characterized by the inhibition of blood flow, often due to a blood clot, to the heart. The resulting lack of nutrients causes irreparable damage to cardiac tissue and ultimately the failure of the heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Unfortunately, outside factors can increase the already high rate of heart attacks. Women who take Yasmin may increase their risk of suffering from a severe, life-threatening heart attack.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack after taking Yasmin, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Yasmin Heart Attack Lawsuit Overview
In continuing with the tradition of Bayer Healthcare oral contraceptives, the pharmaceutical powerhouse introduced Yasmin into interstate commerce on May 11, 2001. Following the necessary regulatory actions, Yasmin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assist in the prevention of pregnancy. However, indictions on Yasmin labels also acknowledge that the birth control pill may also alleviate symptoms associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and moderate to severe acne.
Drospirenone, one of the active ingredients contained in Yasmin, belongs to a group of drugs known as progestins. Drospirenone, dubbed by the healthcare community as a fourth generation contraceptive, is capable of preventing ovulation in those who choose to do so with a 99% success rate. In doing so, drospirenone alters conditions in the cervical and uterine lining by suppressing gonadotropin. The resulting conditions make it more difficult for a sperm to reach the uterus and attempt conception.
While Yasmin has proven capable in reducing the risk of pregnancy, treatment with drospirenone-containing contraceptives may result in catastrophic complications. According to recent studies, Yasmin treatment may significantly increase the risk of suffering from a heart attack. Due to the severe nature of this cardiac event, women may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential Yasmin heart attack lawsuit.
Heart Attack
Heart attacks are directly correlated to a distinct lack of blood flow that neglects to provide coronary tissue with the appropriate nutrients to survive. The inhibition of oxygenated blood flow through the heart, often caused by a blood clot, starves the heart of nutrients. The longer the heart is deprived of these nutrients, the more damage is sustained by the coronary tissue. If the flow of blood is blocked for too long, the heart may fail.
While heart attacks are unpredictable, there are signs and symptoms to take into consideration right before they happen. The following is a comprehensive list of possible symptoms you may feel right before a heart attack:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Upper body pain
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Clammy skin
- Unusual or unexplained fatigue
FDA Safety Communication
According to an FDA Safety Communication, the agency is aware of two newly published studies that evaluated the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women who use birth control pills that contain drospirenone. The two recently published studies looked at whether there is a higher risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing the progestin drospirenone when compared to similar women taking birth control pills containing a different progestin called levonorgestrel. These two new studies reported that there is a greater risk of VTE associated with birth control pills that contain drospirenone. Unfortunately, the presence of a severe VTE may lead to life-threatening complications, one of which is a heart attack
Blood Clot Study
Researchers from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program at Boston University School of Medicine examined close to 900 women who have been using contraceptives since 2002. Women who were taking Yaz or Yasmin, saw a rate of blood clots that reached 30.8 per 100,000 person-years. For women talking levonorgestrel-based pills, the rate was only 12.5 per 100,000 person-years. Women taking drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives were about twice as likely to develop a dangerous blood clot.
The author of the aforementioned study concluded that “these findings support more recent studies that suggest that drospirenone oral contraceptives are not as safe as levonorgestrel oral contraceptives with respect to venous thromboembolism.”
Fourth Generation Contraceptives
The following fourth generation contraceptives contain drospirenone and may also significantly increase the risk of a heart attack:
- Yaz
- Beyaz
- Ocella
- Gianvi
- Safyral
- Loryna
Do I Have a Yasmin Heart Attack Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Yasmin heart attack lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack after taking Yasmin, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.