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Cardiovascular Disease After Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease After Cancer: What Survivors Need to Know. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 1994. I underwent several different cardiotoxic chemotherapy regimens over the next couple of years. I developed chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CIC) in 12/10, almost exactly 15 years after my autologous stem cell transplant.
I’ve since learned that CIC is a common side effect of many different cancers. The mission of PeopleBeatingCancer is to educate newly diagnosed cancer patients about long-term and late-stage side effects like CIC. This is a pillar post for CIC and cancer. While I don’t prescribe medication, I do tell people what I do to manage my many therapy-induced side effects.
While I think that oncology is more aware of cardiotoxic regimens and the damage that chemo can do to the cancer patient’s heart, I don’t think that oncology is good at managing possible long-term side effects like cardiovascular disease after cancer.
These are the therapies that I undergo daily, weekly, etc. in my efforts to stay heart-healthy.
- Annual echocardiogram- please make sure your health insurance will cover this test-
- Daily exercise- 15-20 minutes on a treadmill for me. I’m not talking about a heavy workout-
- Heart-healthy nutrition- I’m big on the Mediterranean diet- lots of fruits and veggies-
- Heart-healthy nutritional supplements- I take more supplements than those listed below-
If I had undergone the above complementary therapies during my induction therapy and autologous stem cell transplant, it’s possible that I could have prevented my CIC. I’ll never know…
The cardio-oncologist who told me that I had CIC prescribed metoprolol. I had a reaction to this medication. As a result, I don’t take any conventional heart meds for my CIC. You will have to figure that issue out for yourself.
Hang in there.
David Emerson
How common is cardiovascular disease after cancer?
Cancer survivors are approximately 1.5–2 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population. Studies show that 20–30% of survivors develop heart or vascular problems within 5 years, and up to 40–60% experience cardiovascular complications long-term, especially after chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplant.
Why does cancer increase heart disease risk?
Cancer and its treatments increase cardiovascular risk through:
- Chemotherapy-related toxicity (e.g., anthracyclines, proteasome inhibitors)
- Radiation damage to blood vessels
- Chronic inflammation
- Hormonal and metabolic disruption
- Accelerated biological aging
Why Cardiovascular Disease Is a Major Issue for Cancer Survivors
For many survivors, beating cancer is only part of the journey.
A growing body of research shows that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of illness and death among cancer survivors. In fact, for some cancers, heart disease risk may rival—or exceed—the risk of cancer recurrence over time.
This is especially true for survivors of Multiple Myeloma and other blood cancers, where intensive therapies can have lasting cardiovascular effects.
How Common Is Cardiovascular Disease After Cancer?
Research consistently shows elevated risk:
- 20–30% develop cardiovascular complications within 3–5 years
- 40–60% develop some form of CVD long-term
- 1.5–2× higher risk compared to people without cancer
Why risk increases over time
- Damage accumulates from therapy
- Aging + inflammation accelerate vascular decline
- Survivors often live long enough for late effects to emerge
What Types of Cardiovascular Disease Occur After Cancer?
Cancer survivors may develop:
1. Heart Failure
- Often linked to chemotherapy (especially anthracyclines)
- May develop years after treatment
2. Coronary Artery Disease
- Radiation and inflammation accelerate plaque buildup
3. Arrhythmias
- Irregular heart rhythms caused by treatment or structural changes
4. Blood Clots (Thromboembolism)
- Cancer itself increases clotting risk
- Some therapies further elevate risk
Why Cancer Therapy Increases Cardiovascular Risk
Chemotherapy
- Anthracyclines → direct heart muscle damage
- Proteasome inhibitors (used in myeloma) → vascular and cardiac stress
Radiation Therapy
- Damages blood vessels and heart tissue
- Effects may appear years later
Steroids
- Increase blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight
Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT)
- Linked to long-term vascular and metabolic changes
Symptoms Survivors Should Not Ignore
Many survivors assume these are “normal recovery” symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
👉 These may be early signs of cardiovascular disease—not just post-treatment fatigue.
Screening and Monitoring: What Survivors Should Do
This is one of the most important—and overlooked—areas of survivorship care.
Recommended Monitoring
- Echocardiogram (heart function)
- Blood pressure tracking
- Cholesterol and glucose testing
- Cardiac biomarkers (BNP, troponin)
- Coronary calcium score (selected patients)
👉 Survivors should consider ongoing cardiac monitoring—even years after treatment ends.
Evidence-Based Integrative Therapies to Reduce Risk
PeopleBeatingCancer focuses on therapies that are both evidence-based and practical.
1. Nutrition
- Mediterranean-style diet
- High in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3s
- Anti-inflammatory effects
2. Exercise
- Aerobic + resistance training
- Improves vascular function and reduces inflammation
3. Evidence-Based Supplements
- Omega-3 fatty acids → cardiovascular protection
- CoQ10 → supports mitochondrial and heart function
- Magnesium → supports rhythm and vascular health
(Always discuss supplementation with your healthcare provider.)
4. Lifestyle Therapies
- Sleep optimization
- Stress reduction
- Weight management
A Survivor’s Perspective
As a long-term cancer survivor, I developed cardiovascular disease 15 years after completing treatment.
Like many survivors, I initially assumed symptoms such as fatigue and reduced endurance were simply part of recovery. Over time, it became clear that these symptoms were related to heart health—not just cancer survivorship.
This experience highlights an important reality:
👉 Survivorship care must include cardiovascular health—not just cancer surveillance.
The Bottom Line
- Cardiovascular disease is common and often under-recognized in cancer survivors
- Risk increases over time
- Early detection and prevention are critical
- Integrative therapies can play an important role in reducing long-term risk