
Cardiology Service Chief Richard Steingart
Most people are aware of the side effects associated with traditional cancer treatment, from hair loss and nausea to fatigue and increased risk of infection. Although most of the newer targeted therapies are not associated with those symptoms, they can have other consequences — both during treatment and after it has been completed.
Some of the most serious toxicities are associated with damage to the cardiovascular system. Memorial Sloan Kettering’s team of cardiologists monitor patients during and after their cancer care to minimize and treat preexisting heart problems and those that may arise during treatment.
We spoke with Richard Steingart, Chief of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Cardiology Service, about how cancer treatment — including targeted drugs as well as standard therapies that have been in use for a long time — can put stress on the heart and what cancer patients need to know about heart health.
Avoiding High Blood Pressure
One common cardiovascular issue arises with a class of drugs called VEGF inhibitors. These are drugs such as bevacizumab (Avastin®), which is used in the treatment of glioblastoma brain tumors and kidney, lung, and colorectal cancers, as well as sorafenib (Nexavar®), sunitinib (Sutent®), and pazapanib (Votrient®), which are used primarily to treat kidney cancer.
VEGF inhibitors work by blocking angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, to the tumor. But they also have an effect on normal blood vessels, which can lead to elevated blood pressure.
“What’s interesting is that high blood pressure in patients receiving these drugs is an indication that the treatment is working,” Dr. Steingart says. “But at the same time, high blood pressure has to be monitored and treated so it doesn’t cause any significant problems. We also want to make sure it doesn’t prevent patients from getting the full course of their cancer treatment.”
He adds that controlling blood pressure is the best way to limit the risk of cardiovascular disease during treatment. “Any existing heart problems can be greatly aggravated by the heart having to pump against high blood pressure. It can cause immediate, intermediate, and long-term problems,” he says.
Back to topMaintaining a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
Another targeted therapy that can damage the heart is trastuzumab (Herceptin®), which is used to treat breast cancers that overexpress a protein called HER2, found in 20 to 30 percent of cases.
Trastuzumab can damage the heart by affecting signaling pathways that play an important role in maintaining cardiac function. Its effect is worsened in patients who are also treated with a class of chemotherapy drugs called anthracyclines, which can also damage the heart.
Dr. Steingart notes that heart conditions caused by trastuzumab can arise years after treatment has been completed, making long-term monitoring in patients who have received the drug especially important. “Patients treated with trastuzumab need to have their cardiac functioning monitored periodically during therapy and for several years after the completion of therapy,” he says.
He stresses the importance of cancer patients practicing a heart-healthy lifestyle during and after treatment, which means exercising regularly, not smoking, eating healthy foods, keeping blood cholesterol levels low, and maintaining a healthy weight. “Lifestyle changes make a huge difference,” he says. “The key is for doctors and patients to work together to achieve these goals.”
Many of the heart problems resulting from trastuzumab and other cancer treatments, including radiation therapy to the chest, are also associated with aging, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is even more important as cancer patients get older.
Back to topFocus on Research
Dr. Steingart and other members of his team have studies underway to determine whether taking cardiovascular drugs — such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, which reduce blood pressure — while undergoing cancer treatment can protect against cardiac problems and allow patients to complete their treatment while minimizing damage to the heart.
“We are also establishing a major exercise program at Memorial Sloan Kettering,” he says. “We think exercise is extremely important to minimize the cardiovascular effects of cancer and its therapies. We are ramping up a major effort to make exercise and measurement of the effects of exercise part of our cancer outcomes research.”
To find out more about cardiac programs at Memorial Sloan Kettering, call the Cardiology Service at 212-639-8488.
Back to topComments
Teresa Levitch
Mar 19, 2014 • 11:31 AM
A Patient Of Dr.Steingart
Mar 19, 2014 • 9:58 PM
Dr.Steingart is thorough to a fault. He is tough and he expects a lot from his patients. He will tell you in no uncertain terms that you may not die from your cancer, but if you don't make a change in your lifestyle, you will die from heart disease! We as patients could probably all do with a bit of his "tough love" style ;-)
Smiles
Mar 31, 2014 • 7:46 PM
I developed cardiomyopathy 20 years after I completed my cancer treatment which was chemotherapy and radiation to the lungs. I was not aware about this long term side effect but was told that I have developed cardiomyopathy due to this past treatment. Now I am on drugs to manage my condition and I am coping fine but I have made major life style changes.
Sherri's Sister
Apr 4, 2014 • 11:14 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 4, 2014 • 11:40 AM
In reply to My sister had breast cancer by Sherri's sister
We are very sorry for the loss of your sister. We can’t comment on what she was or wasn’t told by her doctors at the time she was treated. You might find it helpful to read some information on our website about dealing with the loss of a loved one. You can find it here: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/resources/dealing-lo…. Thank you for your comment.
Jeanne Corvan
May 13, 2015 • 9:54 PM
I have been having chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer for nearly one year. My heart rate has continued to increase from its normal 70 to 94 (every week vitals). My blood pressure continues to be normal (110 -120/70). I get out of breath with minimal exercise. What can be done to lower the heart rate.
Jeanne, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately we are unable to answer specific medical questions on our blog. We suggest you discuss these cardiac issues with your oncologist or personal physician, who may be able to offer treatments to alleviate the condition.
If you would like to make an appointment with a Memorial Sloan Kettering physician, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225 or go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment.
Rebecca Allan
Oct 21, 2016 • 9:30 AM
I am working with my oncologist at this time to decide chemo and radiation treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer. Currently we are looking for alternative treatment working with a cardiooncology specialty hospital due to my 4.6 cm ascending aortic aneurysm with aortic valve regurgitation and moderate jet, mild myocardial regurg.,and left ventricle (mild) enlargement with normal chamber, 50% EF. On top of this, I have high blood pressure, possible ckd with my right kidney atrophied and working at about 65% function and scarring in both kidneys. I am a 54yr. Old female, post menopausal, so I still have a long life ahead of me!!! Help!!! Currently living in Tennessee near Johnson City, and have NO cardio oncologists in the area. Need suggestions! Thanks for any info you could provide!
Dear Rebecca, we are sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Comprehensive cancer centers typically offer subspecialties like cardio-oncology. To find a comprehensive cancer center near you, visit the National Cancer Institute’s website: https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers/find. For example, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville may be an option for you: http://www.vicc.org/. We hope this information is helpful. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Danielle Tucci
Oct 27, 2016 • 8:32 AM
My dear friend Nancy had breast cancer 8 years ago. She received chemo Adriamicin, Cytocin, Taxol as well as radiation. She is thankfully cancer free today!! Back in Jan she was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy and CHF. She is only 50yrs old and in otherwise good health, her Cardiologist believes that the chemo agents she received caused the cardiotoxicity. She has been taking ACE inhibitors ...diuretics... Ect to correct it but the meds are not working. They are suggesting an implanted difibrilator. She wants a second opinion. Where can I find a cardiologist that has experience with HF s/p chemo?
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 27, 2016 • 10:50 AM
In reply to My dear friend Nancy had… by Danielle Tucci
Debbie
Apr 16, 2017 • 3:33 PM
My son was saved by MSKCC in 2003 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage 4B at age 17. He underwent BEACOPP & radiation. He's now 32 years old, married last year and just had a heart attack last week out of nowhere. Turns out he had a blockage in the LAD - also known as "The Widowmaker". He works out, eats well and has no out of range bloodwork for cholesterol, LDL/HDL, triglycerides etc. he had no cardiac symptoms prior to this attack. They did a Cardiac cath & placed a stent. He has 35% heart function vs 50% which is normal. He's monitored annually at MSKCC and as you'd imagine we're quite perplexed as to how this heart attack could occur. Cardiac scanning/monitoring should be part of the annual screening for childhood cancer survivors. If anyone out there is a childhood cancer survivor you should get a cardiac CT scan annually to catch this before it's too late. Who knew about Cardio-Oncology or the need for this type of follow-up. We didn't.
Dear Debbie, we’re very sorry to hear that your son is going through this. Your son may want to consult with our program for Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer. You can learn more about it here: https://www.mskcc.org/pediatrics/experience/follow-survivorship-care/ad…
Thank you for sharing your story, and best wishes to you and your family.
Jbmiller
Feb 6, 2018 • 1:29 PM
I was diagnosed with CLL last year and have been on Imbruvica 3 caps a day. My BP climbs from 130/70 to 155-165/80 after I take my pills. My heart is racing. I know the Imbruvica is working. my tests have all been positive. My concern is the high heart rate. It lasts most of the day and often wakes me around 4 or 5 AM. Is PB medicine really an answer? I don't want to suffer a heart attack.
I am a survivor, that is having cardiac issues as a result of treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Dr. Steingart has helped me understand my condition and how I can better help my cardiac future, with lifestyle changes. Dr. Steingart and his staff have always been available to help me in any way the can. I was glad to see this issue on your blog.