Cancer and Heart Failure: Understanding the Intersection

Cancer and cardiovascular disease account for nearly half of all deaths in the US. The majority of cancer therapies are known to cause potential cardiac toxicity in some form. Patients with underlying cardiac disease are at a particularly increased risk for worse outcomes following cancer therapy. Most alarming is the potential for heart failure as a result of cancer treatment, which may lead to early disruption or withdrawal of life-saving cancer therapies and can potentially increase cardiovascular mortality. A multi-disciplinary cardio-oncology approach can improve outcomes through early surveillance, prevention and treatment strategies.