Prolonged exposure to radiation, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments may impact your heart health. If you experience heart problems at any stage of your cancer care, your oncologist may connect you to the cardio-oncologist at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart, who specializes in treating heart conditions that develop during or after cancer therapy. Every appointment with your doctor starts with a conversation about any new symptoms, concerns or questions. Your specialists and care team collaborate, working together for you and with you.
Heart screenings and cardiotoxicity prevention
Some cancer therapies contain toxins that may damage your heart muscle. This condition is called cardiotoxicity and can develop during or after cancer treatment. To help prevent or reduce your risk of cardiotoxicity, your cardiologist may recommend advanced screenings such as:
- Blood tests
- Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan
- Chest X-ray
- Echocardiography (echo)
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan
Symptoms of cardiotoxicity
Don’t wait when you have concerns about your heart health. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms of cardiotoxicity, including:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Enlargement of the abdomen
- Heart palpitations
- Fluid retention in the legs
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling and fluid retention in the legs
Advanced cancer care for your heart
If you’ve been diagnosed with cardiotoxicity, you have a higher risk of developing other heart conditions, such as:
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Blood clots
- Heart failure
- Heart tumors
- High blood pressure
- Myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
When you need more advanced heart care, your multispecialty care team may include oncologists, cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, hematologists, radiologists, and nurses. Your care team works together to monitor your heart health and deliver personalized treatment options that are right for you. Your doctor may also recommend medications, lifestyle changes and follow-up care to help manage your heart symptoms.
Meet our cardio-oncology team
Sasan R. Raissi, MD
