Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy can lead to heart problems, even in patients without pre-existing heart conditions, according to experts speaking at the Cardiological Society of India’s conference. The cardiovascular complications include heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), high blood pressure, and other related conditions.
Addressing the conference on Sunday, Prof. Roopali Khanna, a cardiology faculty member at SGPGIMS, highlighted the emerging field of cardio-oncology, which focuses on maintaining heart health in cancer patients and survivors. She emphasized the importance of early detection of heart issues during cancer treatment using advanced diagnostic tools such as echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and strain imaging. Early identification and intervention can help protect heart function while enabling cancer therapies to continue without interruption.
Prof. Khanna also discussed medications designed to safeguard the heart from the adverse effects of cancer treatments, noting that newer drugs offer added protection, especially for patients with coexisting conditions like diabetes. “Cardio-oncology is a collaborative approach involving cardiologists, oncologists, and primary care physicians to ensure effective management of both cancer and cardiovascular health,” she said.
Prof. Aditya Kapoor, head of cardiology at SGPGIMS, advised patients and their families to remain vigilant about heart health during cancer treatment and encouraged regular cardiovascular monitoring.
Advances in precision medicine, including genetic testing and machine learning, are further aiding doctors in predicting and managing heart risks on an individualized basis. This personalized approach allows for more targeted interventions to reduce cardiovascular complications in cancer care.
As reported by economictimes, the growing focus on cardio-oncology underscores the need for multidisciplinary care to address the dual challenges of cancer and heart health in patients undergoing treatment.