Heart medications and male fertility

[cj163]

Hi,

My husband is on a number of heart medications due to having a heart attack when he was in his late 20's (high lipoprotein a). He is well and his meds seem to suit him and do a great job of keeping him healthy. We want to start a family in the next year or two but are concenred about whether the meds he is on could affect his fertility. He is on daily aspirin, a beta blocker (carvedilol), a statin (pravastatin), ACE inhibitor (ramipril) and spironolactone. I have heard that sprinolocatone particularly could affect fertility but am struggling to find any clear research or guidelines about this. I think he is on quite a low dose of the spironolactone.

I know the easiest thing would be to get a sperm count done but we dont feel quite ready to do this.

I am also a bit worried about the reported tumorgenic effects of spironolactone. It was added in to his meds when they thought his heart had enlarged slightly - turns out it hadnt but they left him on it saying it wont do any harm. I feel they have been a bit casual about it, but dont know if I am just worrying too much, and should maybe just trust his docs a bit more.

I also realise that his high lipoprotein (a) is heritable - this does really worry me in terms of passing it on to any children - do you know if it would be passed on as strongly as he has it or would it be moderated by my genes?

This is all so stressful at times - really appreciate any info or support you can offer,

Many thanks.

[cj163]

Thanks Ireneo, sounds like this forum can be really helpful. I am really happy to have found it - it is great to have somewhere to ask questions and get/give support. I feel a lot less alone now with my worries. All this medical stuff really gets me stressed at times.

Also helpful re: asking questions of the docs - dont have to roll over as you say!

[ireneo]

Please don't apologize. We may not be doctors but there are years of experience here. Perhaps someone has been through this before, dealt with the medication you've mentioned or is willing to research it a bit for you. I get the impression you've already googled spironolactone and checked the PDR for any problems associated with it. Because medications affect people differently, you may have to do a sperm count for a definitive answer. What would bother me personally is being on a medication that they've determined isn't needed any more. That's just not acceptable. Or perhaps there's another similar med he could use without the problems associated with it. Ask questions, don't roll over and do everything they say. I respect my doctors but I ask questions and want to be informed.

[cj163]

Ok - the expert forum is full for today so I will post it there tomorrow - sorry to waste your time.

[cj163]

Hi again - sorry new to this - am going to post this in the ask an expert forum, so please reply there.