1. < Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy and blood pressure

Posted by pattier @pattier, Apr 23 9:57am

I am on week 3 of radiation therapy. On Mondays they check my vitals and I've noticed that my BP is higher than it normally is. I am on BP med Metoprolol which has kept it at an acceptable level but now I'm concerned that the radiation is making my BP rise. Has this happened to anyone else? I do plan on talking to the oncologist next week about it. Thanks.

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Apr 24 9:36am

I don't know if this relates, but my BP was high throughout my chemo and radiation treatment. Pretty much any time I went to a cancer related appointment. Chemo appointments had it at 156/? I am almost 4 years out from treatment. For reference, I've never been on drugs for BP and I'm 69. Three weeks ago at my annual physical with my family doctor my BP was 126/78. I'll make sure to compare my next oncology check-up BP reading next month. I recently read an article about how doctors offices can be the most inaccurate places for BP readings as many nurses don't check for all of the factors that can throw off the reading. Things like bulky clothing, crossed legs, feet not flat on the floor and back supported, talking, waiting until you're settled and not fresh from making the trek in from the waiting room. These are the things I discussed with the (very nice) nurse at that last appointment. Now to see if it makes a difference next month, or if it's some sort of cancer anxiety. Good luck.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 30 3:28pm

@pattier, what did you learn from your oncologist? Do you know about cardio-oncology?

Cardio-oncology offers expertise in addressing heart problems, potential or current issues during cancer treatments. At Mayo Clinic for example, 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.

You might inquire if this is available where you get care.

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1 reply
timely | @timely | May 1 8:23am

I had problems getting through radiation of 21 days.

I never knew after each treatment if I would be dizzy, weak, hard to walk to waiting room, or have arrhythmias.

I have arrhythmias and had one of the above each week.
Oncologist checked my heart weekly at appointment day.

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1 reply
praggs | @praggs | May 1 8:41am
In reply to @colleenyoung "@pattier, what did you learn from your oncologist? Do you know about cardio-oncology? Cardio-oncology offers expertise..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@pattier, what did you learn from your oncologist? Do you know about cardio-oncology?

Cardio-oncology offers expertise in addressing heart problems, potential or current issues during cancer treatments. At Mayo Clinic for example, 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.

You might inquire if this is available where you get care.

Jump to this post

Thank you - I will check into that. At my last doctor appt my BP was fine - as well as at home - so I'm thinking just some anxiety. But since the radiation is on my left side, heart and lung issues are a concern.

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praggs | @praggs | May 1 8:42am
In reply to @timely "I had problems getting through radiation of 21 days. I never knew after each treatment if..." + (show)
@timely

I had problems getting through radiation of 21 days.

I never knew after each treatment if I would be dizzy, weak, hard to walk to waiting room, or have arrhythmias.

I have arrhythmias and had one of the above each week.
Oncologist checked my heart weekly at appointment day.

Jump to this post

I'm sorry to hear that - that must have been awful. I hope you are better now that it's finished.

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