Otherwise known as a myocardial infraction, a heart attack is often the result of a blood clot that prohibits the flow of blood through the coronary artery. Severe heart attacks may deprive the heart of necessary nutrients for a prolonged period of time, resulting in potentially fatal circumstances. While these adverse cardiac events are relatively common, certain outside factors may contribute to the rate in which they occur. Women who receive Yaz (generic: drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) treatment may significantly increase their risk of suffering from a potentially fatal heart attack.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack after taking Yaz, 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.
Yaz Heart Attack Lawsuit Overview
As perhaps the most popular oral contraceptive in Bayer’s arsenal, Yaz was introduced to the U.S. market on March 16, 2006. Prior to being released, however, officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Yaz the approval to be sold as an oral contraceptive. Indications on the packaging acknowledge that Yaz is to be used in the prevention of pregnancy. However, Yaz may also be used to treat acne and the symptoms associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
As a fourth generation contraceptive, Yaz is made up in part by a progestin known as drospirenone. As an active ingredient of Yaz, drospirenone has the inherent ability to prevent the ovulation process in women by altering conditions in the cervical and uterine lining. By suppressing what are known as gonadotropins, drospirenone inhibits ovulation by altering the cervical mucus (which increases the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduces the likelihood of implantation). The resulting conditions make it difficult for a sperm to reach the uterus, therefore serving as a suitable from of birth control.
Unfortunately, the mechanism of action responsible for preventing pregnancy may coincide with a variety of associated complications with varying degrees of severity. Subsequently, heart attacks have become a recognized cardiac abnormality resulting from the use of Yaz. Due to the severe nature of these cardiac events, women may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Yaz heart attack lawsuit.
Heart Attack
Drospirenone, the active ingredient found in Yaz, may be responsible for a spike in potassium levels. The presence of heightened potassium levels may serve to significantly increase the risk of adverse thrombotic events. Accordingly, a heart attack is classified as a thrombotic event and typically occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery. Impeded blood flow may result in damaged coronary tissue and a subsequent heart attack if enough tissue is damaged. Unfortunately, heart attacks are unpredictable and may result in fatal circumstances. Signs and symptoms of a Yaz heart attack may include:
- 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
Fourth Generation Contraceptives
The following fourth generation contraceptives contain drospirenone and may also significantly increase the risk of a heart attack:
- Yasmin
- Beyaz
- Ocella
- Gianvi
- Safyral
- Loryna
Do I Have a Yaz 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 Yaz 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 Yaz, 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.