Tag Archive for: blood pressure

COVID-19 Vaccines and Infertility: Fact or Fiction?

Authors: Alex Lukey, RN, WHRC Blog Co-coordinator; Arrthy Thayaparan, BSc, WHRC Blog Co-coordinator; Liisa Galea, PhD, WHRC Lead; Deborah M. Money, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.

Published: July 2nd, 2021

It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in relation to fertility and reproductive health. This blog will dive into the scientific findings of these claims and bust some of the many myths circulating about the vaccines’ impact on fertility. 

Myth #1: The vaccines haven’t been tested for pregnant people or those trying to conceive

In the earlier stages of vaccine trials, people who are pregnant or trying to conceive are not included for safety. However, in large trials, such as those for the COVID-19 vaccines, there are often accidental pregnancies. While not initially planned, this data provides a natural fertility experiment.

In a paper published by Nature, “Are COVID-19 vaccines safe in pregnancy?” the control groups had 28 accidental pregnancies, and the vaccinated groups had 29 pregnancies. The vaccinated groups received Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines in these trials.

If the COVID-19 vaccine decreased fertility, there would be fewer accidental pregnancies in the vaccinated groups than the control groups. But it turns out the chances of pregnancy were the same. Since accidental pregnancy rates were similar between groups, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines decrease a person’s fertility. The problem here is that the numbers in this comparison are not sufficient to state that there is no impact, but there is no biological reason to suspect that there would be an impact and no data to support this claim.

Myth #2: The COVID-19 vaccines cause miscarriages

Not only were there no differences in the numbers of conceptions in the vaccine trials, but there was also no difference in the number of miscarriages between participants in the control and vaccinated groups.

Based on the latest research, there is no reason to believe that the COVID-19 vaccine could increase the risk of a miscarriage.

Myth #3: The COVID-19 vaccine damages the placenta

This myth is false–it rests on the belief that after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, the body’s immune system might attack syncytin-1, a key protein necessary for the placenta’s formation. There is also the claim that the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus and syncytin-1 are so similar that the immune system might mistake one for the other. 

This claim was tested in a recent study that showed no immune cross-reaction between the spike protein and syncytin-1, dispelling the claim that there is a risk of placental injury after taking the COVID-19 vaccines.

Myth #4: mRNA vaccine technology hasn’t been tested long enough to know if it causes infertility

While mRNA is a new technology compared to other vaccine delivery methods, there have been numerous human trials using mRNA vaccines for Influenza, HIV-1, Zika, Ebola and rabies virus well before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the first human trial of an mRNA vaccine began in 2006, giving researchers almost 15 years of follow-up data. There has been no evidence suggesting long-term fertility concerns arising from the use of mRNA vaccines based on current research. 

Myth #5: mRNA vaccines change your DNA and could impact fertility

To impact DNA, a substance must enter the nucleus, or control centre, of the cell, where DNA is stored. mRNA from vaccines is not able to enter the nucleus and therefore cannot impact DNA. 

Rather, the body uses mRNA as a template to create proteins that teach the body how to fight the COVID-19 virus. 

Take-Aways

The known risks of COVID-19 to pregnant people are severe, including increased rates of intensive care admissions and more premature births. In weighing these risks alongside the latest research, professional associations are making a strong recommendation for people planning a pregnancy to receive the vaccine.

As stated by the Canadian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology: “There is absolutely no evidence, and no theoretic reason to suspect that the COVID-19 vaccine could impair male or female fertility. These rumors are unfounded and harmful.”

The evidence is clear. The best thing to do to protect your health and the health of those around you is to get vaccinated as early as possible. 

High Blood Pressure: Misunderstood in Women and Not Just for Men

Authors: Arrthy Thayaparan and Alex Lukey (Blog Coordinators)

Published: May 21st, 2021

What do eight percent of pregnant women from around the world, including the likes of Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian, have in common? Complications due to high blood pressure. 

Known as the ‘silent killer’ due to its ability to go undetected, high blood pressure is often misdiagnosed and treated less in women than in men, said Professor Angela Maas director of the Netherlands Women’s Cardiac Health Program. 

For middle-aged women, symptoms such as hot flashes and heart palpitations, are often attributed to menopause. This mislabelling puts women at risk for serious heart conditions that could be avoided. 

“A woman’s life provides clues that you need to start early with prevention. We have to assess female patients differently to men, and not just ask about high cholesterol,” said Professor Maas in a recent article with Science Daily.

But before understanding how high blood pressure can be better diagnosed and supported in women, we need to know exactly what high blood pressure is. 

What is high blood pressure?

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure happens when the blood vessels that carry blood around the body constrict, narrowing the blood’s space to pass. This constriction causes damage as blood pushes against the walls of the vessels. High blood pressure also makes the heart work harder to pump blood around the body.

The risk of untreated high blood pressure impacts almost every system in the body. As blood vessels around the body accumulate damage, they become weaker and less elastic. The organs that vessels bring blood to can become damaged over time, leading to the risk of multiple diseases. High blood pressure contributes to many life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke and kidney damage. 

Why might high blood pressure be dismissed in women?

Until the onset of menopause, women are at lower risk for hypertension than men due to the protective effects of estrogen on blood vessels. 

After menopause, there is evidence that high blood pressure is not as well recognized and treated in women.  As many as 41% of post-menopausal women have high blood pressure.  For many women, symptoms related to high blood pressure are attributed to stress or menopause symptoms.

Here is the list of potential symptoms of menopause that may mask signs of high blood pressure 
  • Palpitations
  • Hot flushes 
  • Headaches 
  • Chest pain
  • Tiredness 
  • Sleeping disturbances

According to Professor Maas, there are several subgroups of women that can be identified as high-risk before it is too late.

“High blood pressure during pregnancy is a warning sign that hypertension may develop when a woman enters menopause … If blood pressure is not addressed when women are in their 40s or 50s, they will have problems in their 70s when hypertension is more difficult to treat,” she said. 

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

It is essential to know what your baseline blood pressure numbers are to track changes over time. 

You can take your blood pressure at most pharmacies. Taking your blood pressure outside of the doctor’s office may give a more accurate measure of blood pressure since many people feel nervous in appointments, potentially leading to an artificial increase in blood pressure. 

Hypertension Canada Guidelines state that if your systolic blood pressure (top number) is more than 135 or diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) is more than 85, you may have high blood pressure.  

If you are concerned that you have high blood pressure, you should talk to your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner. 

How can women be safeguarded from hypertension?

Dr. Maas and her team authored a publication for the European Society of Cardiology with recommendations on how to help middle-aged women prevent heart problems due to high blood pressure. 

They stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet, especially in women who are at higher risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy and women who have type 2 diabetes.

But most importantly, the need for collaboration between cardiologists, gynecologists, and endocrinologists is needed to provide women with the best care. 

Dr. Maas notes that women need to work as a team with their doctors to watch for signs and symptoms of high blood pressure.

“Women can help their doctors prevent heart problems and make earlier diagnoses by mentioning issues like complicated pregnancies and early menopause and monitoring their own blood pressure.”

 

Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash