Patients with heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases have a higher risk of developing cancer. During cancer treatment, various measures can be taken to reduce the risk to the heart. The type of treatment administered and how it is applied can influence the risk of heart damage, notes Dr. Herrmann. "The risks of two of the leading causes of mortality are reduced and life expectancy is increased." Cancer and cardiovascular diseases can, in fact, be risk factors for each other. "We have understood that the relationship between cancer and heart disease works both ways," explains Dr. Herrmann. "Today we understand much better what we can do to manage the cardiac risk associated with cancer therapies," concludes Dr. Herrmann. Mayo Clinic experts explain the link between cancer and the heart. • Adopting a healthy lifestyle and using new technologies such as artificial intelligence are key to reducing cardiovascular mortality in cancer patients. • Recent research shows that cancer and heart disease share risk factors and can influence each other bidirectionally. ROCHESTER, Minnesota — As cancer therapies improve and achieve more cures or recurrent periods of remission, the prevention and management of organ damage caused by oncological treatment have become a priority. In this context, the use of wearable devices that alert cancer survivors and their care teams to potential cardiac abnormalities constitutes another promising line of research, adds Dr. Herrmann. "Cardio-oncology has advanced enormously. It has been shown to reduce the risk of heart damage during cancer treatment, help prevent cancer recurrence, and improve cardiovascular outcomes, states Dr. Herrmann. "The more components of a healthy lifestyle are followed, the better the health projection will be for both the heart and cancer," he points out. It increases the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer, as well as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and peripheral artery disease." In addition to not smoking, the risk of cancer and heart disease can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding or moderating alcohol consumption, controlling cholesterol (some cancer treatments can worsen cholesterol levels), getting enough sleep, and adopting a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, adds Dr. Herrmann. Physical activity is another key factor. "Cancer itself can affect the cardiovascular system, independently of oncological therapies, and vice versa. This includes heart injuries, states Joerg Herrmann, M.D., cardiologist, founder and director of the Cardio-Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. While researchers and physicians work to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart damage associated with cancer therapies, they have also identified links between cancer and the heart that go beyond the direct cardiac effects of cancer treatments. This would facilitate shared decision-making between patients and their care teams regarding the therapeutic approach. He and his colleagues are also working on therapies aimed at repairing heart damage caused by chemotherapy, as well as on developing simpler and more cost-effective surveillance strategies to detect the cardiovascular side effects of cancer treatments. "Patients are in a much better situation than they were just ten years ago." "We are interested in advancing even further in AI technologies and developing simulations that show how different therapies might affect a specific patient," explains Dr. Herrmann. Some patients maintain a higher risk of heart disease for life after cancer treatment, but it is not practical to perform echocardiograms indefinitely. Among them are lifestyle habits. "We call it the network of risk factors. Smoking is a clear example. Early detection and early intervention are key to achieving the best outcomes, points out Dr. Herrmann. The use of wearable devices and artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute to this goal, adds he.
