Cancer and the Heart

The most common causes of heart-related conditions include:

• Chemotherapy: anthracyclines and her-2 antagonists
• Radiation therapy

At Brigham and Women's Hospital, our cardiovascular specialists provide expert evaluation and diagnosis with the aid of the latest advanced imaging technologies. Along with a careful physical examination, the cardiologist may order one or more of the following tests or procedures:

• Cardiac biopsy
• Cardiac catheterization
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy
• Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography)
• Cardiopulmonary stress test
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram
• Electrophysiology studies
• Holter ECG monitor
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
• Implantable loop recorder
• Nuclear scan
• Nuclear stress testing
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Tilt table testing
• Transvenous lead extraction
• Transesophageal echocardiogram

Treatment for Cancer and Heart Disease

Treatment may include:

• Cardioprotective medications - Physicians may recommend the use of medications that help protect the heart, such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, before starting cancer treatment and during cancer treatment.
• Dosage adjustment - Traditional cancer therapies, such as anthracyclines and radiation, can cause cardiac side effects in some patients. Cardiologists collaborate with medical oncologists to adjust the dose or timing of these therapies to help limit the impact on the heart.
• Alternative cancer therapies - Patients may soon benefit from the use of alternative cancer therapies – now being studied by our Cardio-oncology team – that are less toxic to the heart.
• Cardiac care after cancer treatment - For patients who develop cardiac complications after cancer treatment, we offer advanced medical, interventional and surgical care.
• Long-term care - The Cardio-oncology Program screens and treats long-term cancer survivors for cardiovascular conditions that may or may not be related to their treatment.
• Research - Our cardio-oncology specialists provide care for patients who are being treated with novel molecular targeted therapies. We are currently evaluating ways to prevent the cardiovascular complications that can result from the use of these drugs.

After being referred to the Cardio-oncology Program, each patient will meet with our lead physician for a comprehensive consultation and evaluation. Following the evaluation—which may include imaging to further define a patient’s cardiovascular condition—our team will develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment varies according to the progress and type of the patient’s heart condition, whether they have any other underlying conditions and whether they are currently being treated for cancer.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, collaborating with colleagues in other medical specialties. Patients with cancer-related heart issues have access to top specialists throughout the fields of cardiovascular medicine, cardiac surgery, cardiac imaging, vascular surgery and oncology. If your cardiologist discovers a non-cardiovascular condition or concern, you will be referred to an appropriate BWH physician for an expert evaluation.

Initial evaluation appointments take place at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or at the Watkins Clinic in the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – depending on which location is most convenient for the patient.

• Our Heart & Vascular Team
• Request Heart & Vascular Appointment
• Heart & Vascular Locations

Visit the Kessler Health Education Library in the Bretholtz Center, where patients and families can access computers and knowledgeable staff.

Access a complete directory of patient and family services.