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February is American Heart Month, a national annual observance that raises awareness of cardiovascular disease – the leading cause of death in the US – and promotes lifesaving, healthy habits. With cancer being the second leading cause of death in the US, and considering cancer patients have two to six times higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population (Florido et al., 2022), it is important to highlight key connections between cancer and heart health due to the shared risk factors among both illnesses such as smoking, obesity, and chronic inflammation.
Researchers at the American Cancer Society have found that, as cancer patients survive longer due to advancements in cancer treatment, cancer survivors face a 42% greater risk of developing heart issues such as heart failure or stroke, indicating that cancer patients have a higher risk of mortality related to cardiac issues rather than the cancer treatment itself. For example, data from a population-based observational study of CVD mortality risk in US cancer patients showed certain chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapies/immunotherapies, and radiation to the chest can damage heart muscle (cardiotoxicity), increase heart rates, or cause inflammation (pericarditis) (Sturgeon et al., 2019).
The American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society emphasize the importance of protecting your heart during cancer treatment, whether you are still in active treatment, recently completed treatment, or are a long-term survivor, by following the tips below:
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Get regular exercise
· Eat a healthy diet, with emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains
· Get recommended cancer screenings
· Creating a survivorship care plan
· Keep your follow-up appointments
· Take care of your emotional health
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