Heart problems can also occur due to cancer
Heart problems can also occur due to cancer
Cancer is also a fatal disease. If not recognized in time, this disease can cause other health problems. One of which is heart disease.
Cancer and heart disease are different but complex diseases. Although they are different diseases, cancer can affect the heart.
Before that, let's understand both diseases.
Cancer can be caused by diet, carcinogenic toxins and uncontrolled growth of cells, and genetic factors.
Similarly, heart disease can be caused by especially fatty foods, blood circulation, heart blood vessels, heart valves, heart rhythm controlled by electrical waves, diabetes and blood pressure, fat accumulation in the heart wall, and obesity. Some are also hereditary.
Two major conditions that often occur in cancer patients are fluid accumulation between the heart walls and inability to fully inflate when the heart beats. Apart from this, slow heart rate and imbalance in heart function are also seen.
Heart disease occurs in one in every 10 cancer patients.
Heart disease is most common in the following types of cancer.
– Melanoma skin cancer
– Breast cancer
– Leukemia blood cancer
– Lymphoma cancer of the lymph nodes
– Other cancers
Cancer patients can also have their heart condition worsen when they are treated with chemotherapy and radiation. This can also happen due to the side effects of chemo drugs and radiation. In such a case, if it is confirmed that there is a problem in the heart, chemotherapy and radiation treatment should be stopped.
What drugs affect the heart?
– Epirubicin
– Cyclophosphamide
If a patient already has heart disease before cancer, the above drugs should not be used. A cardiologist should be consulted. And, other drug alternatives should be sought.
Symptoms of heart problems in people with cancer
Difficulty breathing, asthma, shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or shortness of breath when standing up, fatigue, panic, fear, and irregular heartbeat may occur.
The above symptoms can also occur in other diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to tell the doctor and oncologist who the patient is receiving treatment if such symptoms occur. So that it is easier for the doctor to proceed with the necessary treatment after inspection and examination.
What tests are done?
– Blood tests
– ECG and echo of the heart
– Chest X-ray
Test for water accumulated between the walls of the heart
If there is a heart problem, the problem may not appear immediately. It may appear during the treatment of cancer or a few days, months, or years after the treatment. This heart disease may be caused by the patient's diet, poor health, changes in the body, or the cancer itself growing in nearby organs, lungs, or breasts. Tests may show a decrease in red blood cells, a decrease or increase in white blood cells.
The electrical wave lines on the ECG of the heart may appear abnormal and irregular. The heart's echo ejection fraction is less than 50 percent, the heart walls are thickened by water, the heart's contraction process is completely blocked, and the heart valves are also blocked from opening and closing completely.
If cancer of other organs, such as the lungs, breast, etc., has spread to the heart, cancer cells may be found in the water in the heart wall.
Treatment for heart problems in cancer patients
- The causative agent of the disease should be removed or stopped
- The patient should be admitted to the ICU, ward, medical oncology ward.
- The patient's treatment should be treated under the daily direct supervision of both a cardiologist and a medical oncologist.
The above-mentioned cancer diseases and heart diseases can happen to anyone. The best way to avoid both of these diseases is to prevent them from occurring.
To prevent disease, it is best to maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle, avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and hazardous smoking, and undergo regular health checkups.
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