Cancer Treatments Linked to Heart Problems
Only certain cancer therapies are linked to heart troubles. These may include:
- Radiation therapy, especially when given to the chest because it’s so close to the heart
- Certain chemotherapy medicines, particularly anthracycline-based chemotherapy, though the amount used today is less than that used in previous decades
- Certain targeted therapies or newer immunotherapy drugs
Other factors can play a role in how likely someone is to develop heart troubles as a side effect of their cancer treatments. For example, if you:
- Already have heart disease—that is, before finding out you have cancer
- Have risk factors for heart disease—such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, being overweight or smoking
- Older age
- Receive higher doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Are on more than one treatment known to have damaging effects on the heart (for example, chest radiation therapy in addition to an anthracycline-based chemotherapy and trastuzumab)
Some heart problems or diseases can arise during or long after cancer treatment. These can include:
- Heart valve disease: The valves of the heart may become too narrow, stiff or no longer close property; this can disrupt usual blood flow through the heart and to the body.
- Cardiomyopathy or heart failure: Weakening or stiffening of the heart that affects the ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart that can be due to infection or certain medications.
- Coronary artery disease: Blockages or scarring in the heart’s arteries. In particular, radiation therapy near the heart can make a buildup of plaque (called atherosclerosis) happen faster than would usually be expected. In some cases, this can lead to a heart attack.
- Heart rhythm problems: The most common is atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which is also a leading cause of stroke. Tachycardia—when the heart beats too fast—can also occur.
- Thickening or damage to the outside lining of the heart
- Blood clots and stroke: Dangerous blood clots are more common in people with cancer.
- Last Edited 01/31/2020