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Aromatase Inhibitors and Escalating Blood Pressure
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 11 7:48pm | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
Hello - I’m in the same boat as the others here. I’m 73. I have existing cardiovascular disease and put me on Anastrozole. (I wasn’t aware of the potential risk). My blood pressure started going up in the third month - 177/111. I stopped taking it and my blood pressure is better.
They also wanted to give me semi-annual Prolia shots because the AI’s cause bone loss. I already have osteopenia and osteoporosis in my forearms. Lots of side effects with the Prolia too - for me, particularly if you have dental problems (me again!). I read that Prolia does build some bone back…but the bone loss escalates after you go off of it and you may have to take it lifelong.
I feel like I have to choose between 3 evils: cancer reoccurance, osteoporosis, and strokes/heart attacks! My cancer reoccurance % is very low, so I’m choosing my bones and my heart. I think all of the AI’s could cause cardiovascular issues - that’s how I ended up on this site.
Replies to "Hello - I’m in the same boat as the others here. I’m 73. I have existing..."
I think that is very smart to value how your heart will do on these drugs, especially if you're low risk for recurrence, because I don't notice the BC docs take that into consideration much. If a person is older, is already on several blood pressure meds ( I am on 3 types), we have to be wary of going on IA's even though that's considered a first line of defense. Glad I'm going to see a doc in Cardio-Oncology (should have been recommended earlier!) so she can watch what they're doing from a CVD point of view. BC doc is now are recommending I go on Fulvestrant shots instead. I did a lot of research on that med yesterday, and it works in a different way than AI's to block hormones, it's considered a SERD. It's new though, and who knows? I want more testing as we go along on my heart. What I found out is that AI's work by reducing the estrogen available to tumor cells; Fulvestrant works by blocking estrogen from binding to cancer cells. I can provide links to studies/reports if anyone wants to read them. For bones, I'm sticking with extra calcium & D in pills & diet, & more weight-bearing exercises. Zometa will just have to wait.
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@carolcollins2220, does your oncologist coordinate care with your cardiologist?
Some centers have a specialty called cadio-oncology.
Mayo Clinic offers expertise in addressing heart problems (called cardio-oncology), potential or current issues. The Cardio-Oncology Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/cardio-oncology-clinic/overview/ovc-20442193) evaluates people prior to cancer treatment and patients who have experienced side effects due their treatment.
How is your blood pressure being managed? Any changes to treatment or heart meds necessary?