Imagine surviving cancer only to die from a heart attack or develop heart failure. Heart disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death worldwide and they are related. Heart disease is one of the most common causes of non-cancer death in cancer survivors.
Research shows that people who have cancer may be at an increased risk for heart disease and people who have heart disease may also be at an increased risk for cancer. This interaction may be due to the immune system reaction of the body in response to each of these conditions. It may also be because they share some common risk factors, like smoking. Cancer can increase the chance of developing blood clots, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, or other complications. A recent study suggests that cancer should be listed as an independent risk factor for heart disease.
Although all cancer survivors are more likely to have heart problems, not everyone will. Certain cancer treatments make it even more likely, such as:
Radiation to the chest
Some chemotherapy drugs, especially anthracyclines
Certain "targeted" therapies and immunotherapies
Receiving more than one of these, or a high dose of one, may increase the risk
Other factors:
Having a heart problem before starting cancer treatment
Having uncontrolled risk factors for heart disease.
Living a healthy lifestyle and controlling risk factors for heart disease may help. The American Heart Association identified the key elements in maximizing heart health, called "Life's Essential 8."
They are:
Healthy Eating
Fitness
Quit nicotine
Healthy Sleep
Healthy weight
Manage Cholesterol
Manage Blood pressure
Control Blood sugars and Diabetes
The good news is that controlling these factors before, during, and after cancer treatment may reduce the risk of heart disease AND may improve cancer outcomes. Sometimes the effect on the heart does not show up for years, or even decades after cancer treatment has been completed. It is important to have close follow up after finishing therapy to identify heart problems early and treat them quickly.
International Cardio-Oncology Society
Cancer Treatment and the Heart
American Heart Association "Life's Essential 8"
National Cancer Institute
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/heart-attack-breast-cancer-grows-faster
Cancer as a risk factor for heart disease
Understand Your Risk for Heart Disease
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board