What is a cardio-oncologist? Why protecting your heart is crucial on your cancer journey

When you’re faced with a cancer diagnosis, your first concern is most likely, “What is the best way to fight this?” But it’s also crucial to consider how cancer treatments can affect your heart—and how heart issues could influence your cancer care journey. That’s where a cardio-oncologist can play an important role in decisions about your health.

Here’s what you need to know about how cancer impacts your heart and how a cardio-oncologist can help.

What is a cardio-oncologist?

A cardio-oncologist is a highly specialized physician uniquely trained in both cardiology, an area of medicine that focuses on heart health, and oncology, which focuses on cancer care and treatment.

The primary role of a cardio-oncologist is to protect your heart while you undergo cancer treatment and to watch for and treat any heart conditions that arise before, during or after your cancer care.

This type of support is becoming more critical as more people experiencing cancer are living longer. Statistics show that cancer survivors are two to six times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease when compared to those with no history of cancer. Some of the most common cardiovascular diagnoses as a result of cancer treatments include heart rhythm disorders and cardiomyopathies, or weakened heart muscles.

Those statistics might sound alarming, but fortunately, there’s a lot a cardio-oncologist can do to help identify and treat heart problems early. That’s why it’s so important to think about your heart health while undergoing cancer treatment.

How can a cardio-oncologist help you?

Living with cancer can be emotionally, mentally and physically overwhelming. A cardio-oncologist is an additional person on your healthcare team to support you. They work in collaboration with your oncologist, primary care physician and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care. But how do they help?

Of course, the focus of any cancer treatment is to fight cancer cells and prevent cancer from coming back. Many cancer treatments, while effective at targeting and eliminating cancer cells, can have negative effects on the heart.

The main goals of a cardio-oncologist are to:

• Monitor your heart health during cancer treatment
• Manage pre-existing heart conditions
• Address new heart problems
• Limit interruptions in cancer treatment due to heart issues

A cardio-oncologist will work closely with your healthcare team to monitor your heart function during and after treatment. This usually includes regular assessments like echocardiograms (an ultrasound of the heart) and blood tests that measure heart stress markers. These tests can help catch any early signs of heart damage.

This is especially important if you’re already living with a heart condition like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease or heart failure. A cardio-oncologist can modify your heart treatment plans as needed and help minimize the stress on your heart—all while ensuring the best possible outcome for your cancer treatment.

Should I see a cardio-oncologist?

If you're undergoing cancer treatment or have a heart condition that complicates your cancer care, seeing a cardio-oncologist may be one of the best decisions you can make for your overall health. Consulting with a cardio-oncologist is especially critical if:

You’re undergoing chemotherapy or targeted therapy

Quimioterapia and targeted therapies are very effective at fighting cancer, but they can impact your heart in several ways:

• Chemotherapy drugs like anthracyclines and targeted therapies such as HER2 inhibitors (most often used in breast cancer treatment) can cause heart damage. These drugs may weaken the heart muscle, leading to heart failure or arrhythmias.
• Other targeted treatments, like VEGF inhibitors, can cause rapid increases in blood pressure.
• BTK inhibitors like ibrutinib can trigger abnormal heart rhythms, like atrial fibrillation.
• Hormone therapies, used in Cáncer de Mama and Cancer de prostata, can increase your cholesterol levels.
• Immunotherapies, which use the body’s immune system to fight cancer, can cause heart inflammation, known as myocarditis.

A cardio-oncologist will keep a close watch on your heart during treatment. They might also recommend medications to protect your heart, adjust your cancer treatment plan to lower risks or switch to different therapies if necessary.

You’re receiving or have received radiation therapy

Terapia de radiación directed at the chest, particularly for breast cancer or Hodgkin lymphoma, can damage the heart’s blood vessels, valves or surrounding tissue. The effects may not appear until years later, showing up as coronary artery disease, valve disorders or heart failure.

Cardio-oncologists evaluate your heart before, during, and after radiation treatment. They work with your radiation oncologist to minimize exposure to your heart and monitor for any signs of damage in the years following your treatment, so you can have peace of mind about your heart health.

You have a pre-existing heart condition

If you’re living with existing heart conditions like high blood pressure, Insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva or arrhythmias, a cardio-oncologist will help manage these throughout your cancer treatment.

They’ll ensure that your heart condition is stable before starting cancer therapy, adjust heart medications to be protective during cancer treatment and work closely with your oncology team to protect your heart during your treatment.

You’re a cancer survivor with heart problems

Many cancer survivors experience long-term cardiovascular effects. If you’re experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue or chest pain, or are just worried about your heart health, a cardio-oncologist can provide the support and care you need.

A cardio-oncologist can assess your risks related to your past cancer treatment. They can also guide you on how to best control your individual heart disease risk factors so you can feel well and stay active for many years to come.

How cardio-oncology can benefit you

Facing cancer is overwhelming enough without having to worry about your heart health. By adding a cardio-oncologist to your team, you can make sure your heart receives the care it needs—while you focus on beating cancer.

As cancer treatments become more advanced and survival rates improve, cardio-oncologists are at the forefront of research, developing ways to predict who might be at the most risk for heart complications. This allows for more personalized care, ensuring you receive the most effective cancer treatment while safeguarding your heart health.

Whether you’re about to start cancer treatment, are currently undergoing therapy or are a cancer survivor, consulting with a cardio-oncologist could be vital to protecting your heart in the long run.

Learn more about the Cardio-Oncology Center at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas.