Onco-hypertension: An Emerging Specialty.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. With the introduction of newer chemotherapeutic agents, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, the prognosis and survival of patients with cancer has remarkably improved. As a result, patients are living longer and experiencing long-term cardiovascular complications. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Patients with malignancy have multiple etiologies of hypertension development, worsening, or association. This is because of the complex interplay between cancer type, chemotherapeutic agent, patient age, antihypertensive agent, and preexisting comorbidities in the etiology and pathogenesis of hypertension. Management of hypertension in patients with cancer requires accurate blood pressure measurement and considering factors such as adjuvant therapy and cancer-related pain. There are no set guidelines for management of hypertension in this unique cohort, and the therapy should be individualized based on the treatment guidelines for the general population. Onco-hypertension is an emerging subspeciality and entails a multidisciplinary approach between oncology, primary care physicians, nephrology, and cardiology.

Duke Scholars

Author Matthew A. Sparks Medicine, Nephrology