Cancer treatment if you have a heart condition

Not all cancer treatments are suitable for people with heart problems. But this can depend on the type of heart problem and how well-controlled it is. Your cancer doctor will talk to you about this. If a cancer treatment is likely to cause serious problems, they may suggest a different type of treatment.

If you are having a cancer treatment that might make a heart problem worse, you may need:

• heart tests before, during or after cancer treatment
• other treatments to control the heart problem.

You might need to go to extra appointments before cancer treatment starts. Your cancer doctor may arrange for you to see your cardiologist (heart doctor) for specialist advice about the heart problem. If this delays your cancer treatment, you may feel frustrated or worried. But it is important to get the right information, treatment and advice. This way, you can have the cancer treatment as safely as possible.

You may find it helpful to:

• know who to contact if you have a question about your cancer treatment, heart problems or test results
• check what will happen next at the end of each appointment
• speak to your specialist doctors, GP or nurse specialist about any worries you have – they should have access to your test results and medical notes.

Sometimes cancer treatment can cause new heart problems. These may develop during or soon after cancer treatment. Some problems may develop many years later.

We have information about heart health and cancer that explains how new problems may be managed.