Product News and Recalls

Behavioral factors can raise stroke risk

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a number of factors can put people at higher risk for a stroke.

While medical conditions can increase that risk, lifestyle factors play a role as well.

For example, use of birth control pills can increase the risk of blood clots that lead to stroke – as can pregnancy itself.

But a number of studies show that pills with the synthetic hormone drospirenone can increase that risk up to three times compared to other contraceptives on the market. Pills with drospirenone include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.

According to the CDC, some of the other behaviors that increase the risk of stroke are as follows:

Smoking injures blood vessels and accelerates hardening of the arteries. Meanwhile, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry. Even if you’re a nonsmoker, exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of stroke.

Excessive use of alcohol raises blood pressure, increasing the risk of stroke. It also increases levels of triglycerides, a form of cholesterol, which can harden your arteries.

Prolonged periods of physical inactivity can lead to weight gain, which in turn can lead to increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Beyaz lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries while on Beyaz or similar birth control pills.

See more information about stroke risk here: