Understanding heart medication safety during pregnancy can be a daunting task. At Cross County Cardiology, we aim to equip soon-to-be mothers with the expertise of professionals in the field who can provide them with accurate, reliable information.
High blood pressure is common to many pregnant individuals. Mostly, we employ medication to manage this condition. But remember, it's crucial to consult your OB-GYN, who dedicated their career to knowing what's safe and suited for pregnancy.
Dr. Chris Pumill, in an enlightening video discussion, sheds light on commonly used heart medications during pregnancy. He emphasizes the importance of using drugs that have been around for a long time, as they come with an abundance of data regarding their use amongst pregnant patients.
Labetalol and Nifedipine, used two to three times and one to two times a day, respectively, are the bedrock of medications we utilize. On the other hand, high cholesterol medication can be harmful to expecting women.
Let's touch upon why cholesterol medication can be hazardous. In the world of primary prevention, when a young woman is considering cholesterol medicine, it's pivotal to discuss future life goals, including plans for pregnancy. For example, Statin, which is present in medicines like Rosuvastatin and Lipitor, is excreted in breast milk and can cross the placenta.
What's the issue here?
Statins are excellent at reducing lipids, which, although beneficial for adults, is harmful to babies. Lipids are critical in babies’ brain development. Therefore, it’s safe to halt the consumption of cholesterol medication three to six months before conception.
With Cross County Cardiology, we work to balance risk and benefit. If someone is already taking other blood pressure medicines, we slowly transition them off those, helping them onto safer alternatives while keeping their blood pressure in control.
We acknowledge how complex this topic is, and we appreciate the myriad of doctors working together to make pregnancies safe and healthy. Our approach is to help younger patients who could potentially become pregnant now or in the future to navigate the world of high blood pressure and cholesterol medication during pregnancy safely and effectively.
Knowledge is power! At Cross County Cardiology, we aim to provide the necessary information to make informed decisions and maintain your health and your babies' health. Never hesitate to check with your doctor for any queries and concerns, and always remember that you don't have to go through this alone.
