Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Cancer Patients

Overview of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

A recent study underscores the increased mortality risk from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in cancer patients. CVD and cancer are leading global causes of death, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting approximately 18 million CVD-related deaths in 2016 and around 9.6 million deaths from cancer in 2018. CVD includes a range of heart and blood vessel disorders, such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension. Research indicates that cancer survivors may be at a higher risk of developing CVD, often influenced by shared lifestyle factors or the side effects of cancer treatments.

Study Findings

The recent study published in the European Heart Journal aimed to assess CVD mortality risk among cancer survivors across various cancer types. Analyzing data from over 3.2 million cancer patients diagnosed between 1973 and 2012, researchers compared CVD death rates with those of the general U.S. population. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the study focused on CVD deaths among patients with 28 different cancer types, adjusting for factors like age, sex, and race.

The results indicated that around 38 percent of participants died from cancer, while 11 percent died from CVD, with approximately 76 percent of CVD-related deaths attributed to heart disease. The analysis found the highest risk of CVD mortality in patients under 35 years of age. Patients with breast, bladder, and prostate cancers accounted for the majority of CVD-related deaths. Notably, those diagnosed with endometrial cancer showed a significantly increased risk of CVD death within the first year following diagnosis, highlighting the need for early cardiology intervention.

Expert Opinions and Recommendations

In an editorial accompanying the study, Dr. Herrmann noted that cancer patients are at a CVD death risk two to six times higher than the general population. He recommends a proactive approach to CVD management prior to initiating cancer treatments, emphasizing the ongoing risk faced by cancer patients throughout their lives.

This research is notable for being the most extensive examination of CVD mortality across various cancer types, utilizing more than four decades of data. Previous studies have often been limited, focusing on fewer cancer types and lacking long-term follow-up.

Conclusions and Future Directions

The researchers advocate for enhanced collaboration among primary care physicians, oncologists, and cardiologists to effectively address cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Sturgeon, a co-author of the study, suggests that increasing awareness of the CVD death risk could encourage cancer patients to adopt healthier lifestyles, potentially decreasing the risks of both CVD and cancer recurrence.

References

Sturgeon KM, Deng L, Bluethmann SM, et al. (2019). A population-based study of cardiovascular disease mortality risk in US cancer patients. European Heart Journal. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz766

Herrmann J. (2019). From trends to transformation: where cardio-oncology is to make a difference. European Heart Journal. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz781

Cancer patients are at higher risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. (2019, November 24). Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-11/esoc-cpa112119.php

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)

Cancer. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer

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