Socio-Economic Burden of Myocardial Infarction Among Cancer Patients

Cancer patients face a higher risk of future myocardial infarction (MI), even after completion of anticancer therapies. MI is a critical source of physical and financial stress in noncancer patients, but its impacts associated with cancer patients also saddled with the worry (stress) of potential reoccurrence is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to quantify MI's stress and financial burden after surviving cancer and compare to those never diagnosed with cancer. Utilizing cross-sectional national survey data from 2013 to 2018 derived from publicly available United States datasets, the National Health Interview Survey , and economic data from the National Inpatient Sample , we compared the socio-economic outcomes in those with MI by cancer-status. We adjusted for social, demographic, and clinical factors. Overall, 19,504 (10.2%) of the 189,836 National Health Interview Survey responders reported having cancer for more than 1 year. There was an increased prevalence of MI in cancer survivors compared with noncancer patients (8.8% vs 3.2%, p <0.001). MI was associated with increased financial worry, food insecurity, and financial burden of medical bills (p <0.001, respectively); however, concurrent cancer did not seem to be an effect modifier (p >0.05). There was no difference in annual residual family income by cancer status; however, 3 lowest deciles of residual income representing 21.1% cancer-survivor with MI had a residual income of <$9,000. MI continues to represent an immense source of financial and perceived stress. In conclusion, although cancer patients face a higher risk of subsequent MI, this does not appear to advance their reported stress significantly.