Your heart health could be killing your fertility: Doctor shares right step for couples to manage blood pressure
High blood pressure is not only a cardiovascular problem; it can also significantly affect reproductive health in both genders. When people think of major fertility issues, usually things like hormonal issues, irregular cycles or sperm health come to mind.
What often slips out is unrelated - high blood pressure (hypertension). From natural conception struggles to lower IVF success and pregnancy complications, hypertension is an underestimated factor in infertility.
'Hypertension not only affects your heart. It can have a major impact on fertility, IVF success, and even the health of your pregnancy,' Dr Ila Gupta, Director and Senior Consultant - Reproductive Medicine at Pristyn Care Ferticity, shared in an interview with HT Lifestyle.
You might feel healthy, maybe even young and active but if your blood pressure remains mostly high, it reduces blood circulation to the reproductive organs. In women, hypertension affects egg quality, hormonal balance and the uterus' receptivity for a pregnancy.
In males, high blood pressure lowers sperm count and affects motility. 'It's not confined to an age or appearance,' explainedDr Gupta. 'Even females in their early 30s or men who appear physically fit can have increased BP that quietly goes against their fertility goals.'
There is a common myth that IVF cancels out all health issues affecting pregnancy but that is not completely true. If you are experiencing high blood pressure, it can reduce how positively your body responds to IVF medication, interfere with embryo implantation and raise the chances of unexpected complications during treatment.
'Before going forward with the IVF treatment, we evaluate physical health and basic investigations of the couple' addedDr Gupta. 'It's an integral part of your mind and body's readiness and not a fickle matter to deal with some other time.'
If blood pressure is persistently high during pregnancy, it makes you more prone to pregnancy-related complications that also affect the fetus. It can lead to conditions like restricted fetal growth, early delivery, or even preeclampsia in rare and severe cases.
IVF pregnancies already need more consistent monitoring by the doctor, and hypertension adds to the troubles. 'We don't want the couples to panic but rather be aware and follow a healthy lifestyle,' saidDr Gupta. 'If you've been trying to get pregnant, or are already pregnant, keep the BP well managed. That alone can make a huge difference.'
Get your blood pressure checked early — even before you start trying. If it is high, do not ignore it or brush it off as stress. Talk to your doctor and your fertility specialist about safe ways to manage it. This might include lifestyle changes or safe medications if necessary.
'The earlier you take action, the better your chances,' notedDr Gupta. 'We've seen several couples enhance their results by simply addressing this one major concern. For expert evaluation and fertility treatment with comprehensive medical guidance, consult a fertility expert.'
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
From stress to self-mastery: Affirmations and conscious practices to reset your life instantly
The growing pace at which the world is moving makes it chaotic and brings physical and mental pressures, not allowing us to function with ease. Not being aligned to natural rhythms of sleeping, eating and resting mentally, we are fatigued in more than one way but it is time we outsmart the pandemic called 'stress' through easy, needful and doable steps. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Coach Samira Gupta, Executive Life and Wellness Coach, said, 'Stress isn't a setback — it's a signal for growth. Begin with the 5-Second Rule: when overwhelmed, count down 5-4-3-2-1 and take immediate action, shifting from paralysis to progress. Engage in somatic practices like body scans or mindful movement to reconnect with your body and release tension.' She recommended, 'Utilise cognitive reframing to view challenges as opportunities, asking, 'What is this teaching me?' Incorporate gratitude journaling to shift focus from stressors to strengths. These tools don't just manage stress, they harness it, transforming pressure into purpose and adversity into advantage. Embrace these practices to evolve into a resilient, self-aware leader.' Bringing her expertise to the same, Shweta Rhea Chopra, Spiritual Life Coach, shared some simple yet powerful suggestions to live consciously, combating everyday stress and leading to self mastery. 1) The moment you wake up, sit up straight on your bed for about two minutes. Bring all your attention to your heart center, connect to your being within and smile at yourself and everything out there. Thank the universe for blessing your day in the best way. Say to yourself, 'Everything in the universe supports me', announcing victory over all your endeavors. 2) Play your favourite music that elevates or inspires your spirit while dressing up. Look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'I attract blessings and fruitful outcomes and need to chase nothing'. 3) Fix 10 minutes of 'me-time' just before sleeping and write down your observations to better yourself in every area of life, be it your work or relationships. Release your worries and make little notes of communication to the divine creator with the belief that you are being heard. Only if we become as conscious of our inner grooming as we are of ourselves outwardly, life would change its pace to a much manageable one. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Tea and coffee in fine dining? Chef shares beverage pairing rules, Indian dishes to go with, and brew types
Swirling wine at a posh dining table alongside an equally fine gourmet meal has long been the vision of fine dining. Enter tea and coffee, your everyday beverages that have now stepped into the fine dining scene. Whether they will wobble wine's long-standing reign over high-end dining remains to be seen. But even beyond fine dining, tea and coffee bring a familiar touch to the table and your palate, even for everyday meals. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Chef Sagar Sarkar, Corporate Head Chef, Bellona Hospitality, shared how tea and coffee are rising as beverage options for fine dining. Talking about the rapid surge in popularity, he elaborated, 'On the contemporary fine dining platform, tea and coffee are fast becoming modern pairing alternatives that wine once enjoyed. From New York to New Delhi, iconic chefs and sommeliers are crafting non-alcoholic pairing menus featuring these scented beverages back to health-aware consumers, cultural traditions, and increased emphasis on responsible use.' But before we head on to explore the nitty-gritty of tea and coffee pairing, let's address the elephant in the room with this popularity- whether tea or coffee might replace the most popular beverage, wine, in fine dining pairings. The chef, however, assured that wine is here to stay and clarified, addressing the cultural nuances. Sagar said, "Though not substituting for wine, tea and coffee have become suitable pairing partners at fine dining. They bring flavour interest, temperature contrast, and cultural interest, particularly in cultures where alcohol would not be served with the meal. Their addition demonstrates an intention to move towards inclusive meals that every palate can enjoy. But the tea and coffee combination is more than a craze, it's a new culinary experience. Whether at a high-end restaurant or at home with your own dinner party, these modest beverages are revealing new flavour bases for experience." Chef Sagar Sarkar shared a detailed guide, covering all the essentials, from the rules of beverage pairing and Indian foods to pair with, to the ideal brew types for each pairing: Similar to wine, tea and coffee pairings are based on a number of fundamental principles: Balance flavour to reach harmony (delicate desserts with floral jasmine tea), or contrast to reach sophistication (sweet pastries with bitter coffee). No sommelier is necessary to perform this at home. Begin by determining your dish's prevailing flavours, then pair with the coffee or tea that complements or counterbalances them. Here are a few hot Indian pairings: ALSO READ: Tired of your same old coffee? Try these trending recipes for a delicious upgrade
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
IBS vs IBD: Gastroenterologist shares the main differences between the two common gut conditions
Gut health is getting spotlighted in wellness conversations today, and for all the right reasons. Because of the growing discourse around it, there are a lot of remedies and superfoods for common, upset gut issues like bloating, acid reflux, or diarrhoea. But what if these gut issues are actually signs of underlying health conditions that require medical intervention, not just your go-to gut superfoods? IBS and IBD typically share very similar symptoms and may even be confused with everyday digestive issues like bloating, which commonly happens after a heavy meal. It's common to brush them off as minor issues, but they can also hint at IBS and IBD. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anukalp Prakash, Director of Gastroenterology at CK Birla, Gurugram, shared the key differences between IBS, IBD, and their symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. He explained the basics, addressing the confusing overlap of symptoms, 'The spread of digestive health problems is on the rise, and two conditions frequently mentioned in such a context are IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Even though the two share a common set of symptoms and both involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they are quite distinct in causes, implications, and treatment approaches. Understanding the difference is key to effective management and future well-being. Both IBS and IBD benefit from early diagnosis to be treated most effectively and with the best long-term prognosis.' Dr Anukalp Prakash shared a detailed guide with HT Lifestyle, distinguishing the key differences between IBS and IBD, along with treatment pathways: ALSO READ: Tired of chronic constipation? Doctor reveals 3 seeds to add to your diet for a healthier gut Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
