Heart health and cancer

Some cancer treatments can affect how your heart works. This may cause heart problems that are either short-term (temporary) or long-term (permanent).

Problems may develop during or soon after cancer treatment. Some problems may develop many years later.

The risk of heart problems depends on the type of cancer treatment you have and how much treatment you have.

Your risk may be higher if:

• you have other risk factors for heart problems
• you had a heart problem before starting cancer treatment
• you have several cancer treatments at the same time.

Before you have cancer treatment, your cancer doctor will explain your treatment plan. They will tell you about any possible benefits and disadvantages of the treatment, including any possible risks to your heart.

If you are worried about heart problems, ask them for more information.

We have more information about heart health and treatments, including:

• chemotherapy
• targeted and immunotherapy
• radiotherapy
• hormone therapy
• surgery.

Your cancer doctor may talk to you about having cancer treatment as part of a clinical trial. Clinical trials test new treatments or new ways of giving treatments.

Before you decide if you want to take part, your doctor or a clinical researcher will explain the trial. They will give you information about any known side effects of the treatment.

They may not know all the effects these treatments have on the heart. If you join the trial, you will be monitored closely for side effects.

If your treatment has finished

If your treatment has finished and you are worried about your heart, talk to your GP. Sometimes it is hard to remember the details of your cancer treatment. Your cancer doctor or your GP can give you more information and answer any questions you have.

If you had cancer treatment as a child, you may have a higher risk of developing heart problems as an adult. This depends on the type of cancer treatment you had.

Some people will have regular follow-up appointments for the rest of their life to check their heart health.

If you already have a heart condition, this may affect the cancer treatment you have and how it is planned. Your cancer doctor will talk to you about this. It is important to tell them about any heart problems you have so they can plan your treatment safely.

We have more information about having cancer treatment if you have a heart condition.

If you have any warning signs of heart problems, it is important to let your doctor know straight away. Early treatment for a heart problem can prevent further problems.

Sometimes the symptoms of heart problems are like the symptoms of other conditions. But it is important to get any new symptom checked by your doctor. Always tell your doctor if you:

• have chest discomfort, pain or tightness
• have pain that spreads to your arm, neck, jaw, stomach or back
• feel short of breath
• feel unusually tired or weak (fatigue)
• have swelling in your feet, ankles, tummy or lower back
• have palpitations, which might feel like a thumping or fluttering in your chest have blackouts (fainting) feel dizzy or light-headed.

A heart attack is life-threatening. If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, phone 999 for an ambulance straight away.

You can improve your heart health at any age, even if you already have a heart problem. Making changes such as eating well or stopping smoking can help before, during or after cancer treatment. Even small lifestyle changes can make a difference. Keeping your heart healthy is important throughout your life, not just during cancer treatment.

If you need more advice or support with keeping your heart healthy, talk to your doctor or nurse.

Tips for heart health

• Healthy eating
  A healthy diet can help prevent some heart problems. It can also help with weight control, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes. The British Heart Foundation has more information about healthy eating.
• Limit alcohol intake
  It is also important to avoid drinking too much alcohol or binge drinking. This can increase the risk of heart problems such as arrhythmias and high blood pressure. This can also damage the heart muscle. There is more information about alcohol and drinking guidelines at drinkaware.co.uk.
• Keep to a healthy weight
  If you are overweight, losing weight will help to protect your heart. Cancer and cancer treatment can cause problems that may make keeping to a healthy weight more complicated. We have more information about healthy eating and managing your weight. If you want and need to lose weight, the British Heart Foundation has more information.
• Keep active
  Regular physical activity helps to keep your heart healthy. It can also help control risk factors for heart disease, such as:
  
  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol
  • being overweight
  • diabetes.
  We have more information about ways to keep active.
• Stop smoking
  If you smoke, giving up is the best thing you can do for your heart. After you stop smoking, your risk of developing coronary heart disease or having a heart attack dramatically reduces. We have more information on giving up smoking. The British Heart Foundation also has information about stopping smoking.

The British Heart Foundation has more information about how to keep your heart healthy.

Pregnancy and giving birth can put pressure on your heart. Women who are thinking about having a baby after cancer treatment should ask their doctor for advice.

Your doctor may arrange for you to see a cardiologist. They can give you specialist advice before or during your pregnancy. You may also have extra tests to check your heart health while you are pregnant.