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Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
Published on: January 12, 2017
Cardiovascular Disease among Breast Cancer Survivors
Steven S Coughlin1,2, Deepak Ayyala1, Ban Majeed1
1Department of Population Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease is a significant concern for breast cancer survivors, with high rates of hypertension and high cholesterol reported. Further research is needed to ensure these patients receive adequate treatment to prevent cardiovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 35% of non-cancer deaths in women over 50 with a history of breast cancer.
- Breast cancer treatments can have cardiotoxic effects, increasing CVD risk.
- Overlapping risk factors contribute to higher CVD incidence in breast cancer survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of cardiovascular diseases in breast cancer survivors.
- To assess the prevalence of hypertension, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, stroke, and venous thromboembolism in this population.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 164 breast cancer patients (Stage I-IV) who completed primary therapy.
- Data collection involved postal surveys and electronic medical record abstraction.
- The study examined the frequency of specific cardiovascular conditions and risk factors.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of hypertension (62.8%) and high cholesterol (50%) was observed.
- Smoking rates were 8.3% current and 36.0% former smokers.
- Diabetes history was reported by 23.8%, congestive heart failure by 4.9%, and stroke by 6.1%.
Conclusions:
- Additional research on cardiovascular risk factors and events in breast cancer survivors is essential.
- There is a need to evaluate the adequacy of treatment for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes in this cohort.
- Ensuring appropriate therapy is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events.
Background:
Among breast cancer survivors age > 50 years, deaths due to cardiovascular disease account for 35% of non-cancer related deaths. The increases in cardiovascular disease among breast cancer survivors is due to the cardiotoxic effects of breast cancer treatment and to overlapping risk factors for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Methods:
We conducted a study of a sample of 164 breast cancer patients in order to examine the frequency of cardiovascular disease. The overall objective was to examine the frequency of high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, stroke, and venous thrombosis/thromboembolism among women who have been diagnosed with stage I-IV breast cancer and who had completed primary therapy for the disease. Data were collected by postal survey and abstraction of electronic medical records.
Results:
A high percentage of the women (62.8%) had a reported history of high blood pressure. Fifty percent of the women had a reported history of high cholesterol. About 8.3% of the women were current smokers and 36.0% were former smokers. About 23.8% of the women had a reported history of diabetes. About 4.9% of the women had a reported history of congestive heart failure and 6.1% had a history of stroke.
Discussion:
Additional studies are needed of cardiovascular risk factors and adverse cardiovascular events among breast cancer survivors. Of particular concern is whether patients with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes are receiving appropriate therapy to reduce their cardiovascular risk and prevent morbidity and mortality from adverse cardiovascular events.
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