The Vein Institute. The Premier Varicose Vein Treatment Center on the Upper East Side. Click here for vein screening
Skip to main content

How Hormonal Birth Control Impacts Your Heart Health

For anyone who menstruates and wants to prevent pregnancy, hormonal birth control can be a saving grace. And while options such as “the pill” are highly effective and generally quite safe, like all medications they bring a risk of side effects that can impact the health of your heart. 

At Upper East Cardiology in the Upper East Side of New York City, Dr. Satjit Bhusri offers comprehensive cardiovascular care for women, with a focus on preventive heart care and treatment for existing conditions. 

Read on to learn about the impact hormonal birth control methods may have on your heart health and ways you can minimize related risks.

How hormonal birth control method works

Hormonal birth control methods use the hormones estrogen and/or progestins to prevent pregnancy by keeping mucus in your cervix thick so that sperm can’t pass into your uterus or keeping your ovaries from releasing eggs. As a result, an egg can’t be fertilized to create a pregnancy. They come in a variety of forms, including pill, patch, under-the-skin implant, injection, and vaginal ring.

How the added hormones impact your heart

Increasing your estrogen or progestin levels can impact your heart health in several ways, including raising your blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and lower your HDL, or “good” cholesterol. If these issues go unmanaged, you run the risk of more serious heart-related issues, such as blocked arteries, angina (a type of chest pain), heart attack, and stroke.

Your risk for cardiovascular problems related to hormonal birth control is highest if you:

What to do about heart health risk and birth control

As with all medications, it’s important to choose one for which the benefits outweigh the risks. And those risks vary from person to person. For these reasons, Dr. Bhusri and your gynecologist can help you consider the pros and cons and make the wisest, most informed decision.

If you're healthy overall and don't smoke, you can probably safely use hormonal birth control. If you have particular risk factors for heart disease, you may benefit from options such as:

To learn more about hormonal birth control and heart health or get a sense of your own risk factors for heart disease, call Upper East Side Cardiology or request an appointment with Dr. Bhusrithrough our website. 

You Might Also Enjoy...

Is Chest Pain Always Serious?

From heart attacks to a little indigestion, many different conditions lead to chest pain. If you want to get a better handle on chest pain, and when to take action, read on.

Are Varicose Veins a Health Concern?

Like millions of others, varicose veins have taken up residence on your legs and you’re wondering if you should be concerned about their unwelcome appearance. The answer is a short maybe, with a longer explanation.

Eat This Instead of That: Heart Health Edition

There’s a lot of truth to the statement that, “You are what you eat.” Unfortunately, far too many of us aren’t eating the right things to support our heart health. Here’s a look at a few ways to eat your way to better health.

Are You at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in the United States. It’s also preventable in a majority of cases. Addressing your risks for cardiovascular disease is not only smart, it could save your life.

How Sex Impacts Your Heart

Few things can get your heart rate up like sexual activity, and you’re concerned that the excitement may be a little too much. The reality of how sex can influence your heart health may surprise you.