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Cancer Treatment Induced Heart Disease
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: Sep 1, 2022 | Replies (54)Comment receiving replies
Good morning, Amy, While our cancer treatments are life saving they can come with some pretty serious side effects of their own. Chemo and radiation treatments can both have an impact on our hearts. So it’s a bit of a surprise that your cardiologist is flippant about your concerns.
It’s important to listen to your gut instincts and at least get a second opinion. Do you have the ability to switch doctors? Is there a larger teaching hospital you could try?
I realize you’ve already seen this discussion by another members regarding radiation induced heart disease and hopefully read the entire thread. As you can see, you’re not alone.
I’ve also found some other sites discussing your concerns and posted those below.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-induced-heart-disease/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17409-radiation-heart-disease-overview
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159113/
You said medication is helping. What tests have you had run to rule out heart related issues?
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Lori, thank you for the links and the encouragement. I have had 3 echos over the past few years that seem to show a progressive increase in leakage from all heart valves (trace to mild still). Was just in the hospital for chest pain and had a Lexi scan, ECG and was put on a nitro drip. Imdur and Metoprolol are now controlling the chest pain. I am taking SL nitro PRN. The cardiologist wanted to do an angiogram but didn't feel that the benefits outweigh the risk as I do not have any other risk factors for CAD. I am close to OHSU so will look into referral if my symptoms continue to dictate/limit my quality of life.