Are Statins Safe to Take During Pregnancy?

By blocking production in the liver, where the bulk of the body's cholesterol is created, statins are a class of medications that lower LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels in the body.

Remember, cholesterol is not an illness; it is a risk factor for disease, says Dr. Stuart Spitalnic of Newport Hospital in Rhode Island.

The FDA Trusted Source requested that statins no longer be listed as contraindicated during pregnancy by July 2021. The FDA still advises most people to stop taking statins when they get pregnant, though.

The contraindication was deleted because the decision to continue taking a statin should be made individually for each patient after assessing the benefits and drawbacks of doing so.

Manufacturers must revise their package inserts to reflect the change, per the FDA's requirement. The date by which all manufacturers must update their package inserts is not yet established.

It's best to play it safe and stop taking statins when trying to get pregnant and while you're pregnant, according to Dr. Matthew Brennecke of the Rocky Mountain Wellness Clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado. "There are some conflicting studies out there that statins can be safe during pregnancy, but since these studies are conflicting, it's best to play it safe and stop the statins," he adds.

Statins cross the placenta, according to Dr. Brian Iriye of the High-Risk Pregnancy Centre in Las Vegas, and have been linked to potential consequences on the growing embryo.

He said that it was improbable that accidental short-term exposure would lead to an increase in aberrant pregnancy outcomes. However, "most authorities advise quitting this class of drugs during pregnancy due to the theoretical danger and minimal advantages of these medications in pregnancy."

You and your unborn child should be fine whether your pregnancy was intended or unplanned, like 50% of pregnancies. Just stop taking the statin as soon as you can.

Natural increases in cholesterol occur throughout pregnancy.

Natural increases in cholesterol occur in expectant moms. Even though this can seem ominous, it shouldn't be. After delivering delivery, six weeks later, the levels usually rebound to the normal range.

According to OhioHealth Heart and Vascular Physicians' Dr. Kavita Sharma, a cardiologist and lipidologist, "all cholesterol values rise in pregnancy; the degree depends on the stage of pregnancy."

Before becoming pregnant, the majority of people would have total cholesterol levels of around 170. According to Sharma, this will range between 175 and 200 in the first trimester and increase to roughly 250 in the second.

The American Heart Association (AHA) states that a total cholesterol level of around 200 is optimal and anything over 240 is excessive. However, pregnancy is exempt from these thresholds.

LDL cholesterol increases in pregnant women, while HDL, or "good," cholesterol, which aids in the removal of bad cholesterol, also increases, reaching a peak of 65 during late pregnancy. Heart disease is prevented by having an HDL cholesterol level above 60.

As a new-born uses cholesterol for brain development, Iriye explained that cholesterol is a crucial component needed during pregnancy. To create oestrogen and progesterone, two essential hormones for pregnancy and development, at the proper amounts during your pregnancy, is also necessary.

When must one be concerned about cholesterol?

The gestational parent's health before the cholesterol levels start to rise is one factor to take into account. Following menopause, the normal period of ageing when gestational parents are no longer able to bear children, the risk of getting cardiovascular disease increases.

Diet and Exercise come before medicine

Most general medical recommendations state that your initial plan of action should be to reduce your consumption of saturated fats over the course of six months.

According to Sharma, some women can benefit from food and lifestyle guidelines alone. "Take care of one's own health, with a heart-healthy diet and exercise routines, both before and after pregnancy."

According to Brennecke, maintaining a balanced diet is the best thing a person can do to lower their cholesterol levels when pregnant. Consuming foods high in fibre and low in saturated fat, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole, unprocessed grains, is one way to do this. You should still think about consuming nutrient-dense foods and exercising in a low-impact manner that has been authorised by your healthcare provider.

According to him, "your baby will get those same nutrients, or lack thereof," regardless of what you eat.

Additionally, it's critical for expectant parents to exercise to control their cholesterol levels.

If you are trying to conceive or are pregnant, stop taking any statin drugs due to concerns about the potential harm that they may cause to a developing foetus. Instead, concentrate on consuming nutrient-dense foods and upping your physical activity. Consult your doctor to determine the best forms of exercise for you.

Ask your doctor whether you should continue taking statins if you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant.