Cardiovascular Health
As cancer survival improves, a better understanding of the long-term impact of cancer therapy is needed, particularly with regard to cardiovascular (CV) complications. CV risk factors (e.g., smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity) left unmanaged, in addition to cancer-associated lifestyle disruptions, significantly increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in conjunction with a history of exposure to potentially cardiotoxic cancer therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, radiation, and endocrine therapies). Cardiologists, oncologists, primary care providers, and allied health professionals must work together to manage CV risk factors and disease while promoting healthy lifestyle and exercise interventions to improve the CV health of each breast cancer (BC) survivor to ensure optimal clinical outcomes. This chapter reviews BC treatments associated with CV morbidity and mortality in BC survivors. Potential strategies to mitigate the impact of cancer treatment on CV health in BC survivors are reviewed. CV imaging and management guidelines, literature on the role of exercise and lifestyle changes, and integration in clinical practice are discussed.
