An estimated 1.9 million people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Having a history of cancer is linked to a greater risk of heart problems: Older breast cancer survivors, for example, are most likely to die from heart disease, not breast cancer.
Cancer and heart disease also share several risk factors, including obesity and tobacco use.
In a study from the University of Calgary, scientists found some types of cancer may alter the appearance and function of the heart.
Researchers are still trying to understand how much of the risk comes from cancer itself versus common treatments that can be toxic to the heart.
In the study, researchers recruited 381 people with breast cancer or lymphoma and 102 people without cancer or heart disease.
Both groups underwent cardiac MRI scans to create 3D models of their beating hearts and a map of heart muscle inflammation. It allowed researchers to observe the heart’s appearance and function.
The team found that compared to the control group, people with cancer had reduced volume of the left ventricle, the chamber that provides oxygen-fortified blood to the rest of the body.
That resulted in it pumping less blood per heartbeat. The models also showed elevated strain, a measurement of how hard the heart is working.
Finally, the hearts of people with cancer showed signs of inflammation.
The findings provided evidence that cancer itself does change the health of the heart muscle.
Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cancer cells, but these treatments can damage healthy heart cells, too.
Chemo drugs like anthracyclines, used to treat breast cancer and lymphoma, have side effects that include left ventricle dysfunction, heart failure and inflammation.
Other specific cancer drugs and radiation therapy to the chest also can affect the heart.
Although it’s not known whether people with other types of cancer not included in the study might have similar changes to their hearts, the team says the findings put new emphasis on understanding the heart health of people newly diagnosed with cancer before treatment starts.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer, and common depression drug may stop cancer growth.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and calcium supplements could harm your heart health.
The study was conducted by Dr. James A. White et al and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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