Community Chat

[pegomyheart]

I am close to 68 years old, and didn't know this.  Right now my sister-in-law is fighting for her life. She is going through  second round of chemo, because the first time results were poor. Last night her heart stopped twice .  We are all praying 

Does this happen often ?

[dex]

I didn't know that but I suspected it...those drugs are powerful.I will pray for her to recover and be well.I am sorry that your family is going through this. Your SIL is fighting hard right now.

[jaxs mom]

I hope she's ok. 

There are many many many different chemo drugs and regimes used for different types of cancer. Some of them do have known possible cardiac risks. One of the chemo drugs I had is on that list, but there is a safe threshold and doctors purposely stay under it. The cardiac risks also don't show up until many years later. But then, with no treatment the vast majority of cancer patients ( including me) would die. And radiation is not without it's own long term health issues. 

[phoenixbrd]

Pegomyheart...so sorry that your sister in law is going through this dreadful procedure...

This reminds me of a YT documentary called the Johnny Straws Project - Parts 1-4.  A young man who recently finished a body building competition and is fighting for his life. He decided to quit his chemo...the doc is so raw and real.  I was struck by how much many of us could relate to his battles on so many levels.

I'm sending you and your family wishes for peace and much love during this challenging time...

[on the bay]

I'm so sorry she is going through this and I think people who get chemo are very brave though we never know how we will respond or what we would do until we get cancer.

I'd never heard this either so I looked it up and this is good detailed info from the Mayo Clinic website (and I hope its okay to post this). So maybe they can try a different chemo.

(and also monitor her heart while on it)

Can chemotherapy side effects increase the risk of heart disease?Answers from Timothy J. Moynihan, M.D.

Chemotherapy side effects may increase the risk of heart disease, including weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Certain types of chemotherapy also may increase the risk of heart attack.

Treatment with angiogenesis inhibitors and certain other targeted medications has been linked to high blood pressure (hypertension).

Fortunately, heart disease associated with chemotherapy is rare — and not all chemotherapy drugs carry the potential side effect of heart damage.

Some anti-cancer treatments may cause temporary heart damage by weakening the heart muscle. These treatments include:

• A class of drugs known as anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, others)
• Newer medications, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta), which are drugs designed to attack the HER2 protein seen in some breast and other cancers

The chance of heart damage from anthracyclines is related to the total amount received during your lifetime. Your doctor will carefully monitor how much of these drugs you receive. Heart weakening from HER2-directed medications, such as trastuzumab, is not related to total lifetime dose and is often reversible.

Certain chemotherapy medications, such as taxanes, can cause an abnormal heart rhythm. This typically occurs temporarily during administration of the medications, so if you feel lightheaded or faint be sure to tell your chemotherapy nurse or doctor.

The drugs fluorouracil and capecitabine (Xeloda) can cause spasms of the coronary arteries and bring on a heart attack. This typically reverses quickly once the drug is stopped. If you have severe chest pain or shortness of breath while using these medications, tell your doctor immediately. If symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number.

If your doctor is considering a chemotherapy drug that may affect your heart, you may undergo heart function testing before starting treatment. During treatment, you may need periodic heart monitoring as well. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, such as cardiomyopathy, your doctor may suggest a different type of chemotherapy.

If you experience significant problems, such as shortness of breath with minimal exertion or chest pain during chemotherapy, report it immediately to your health care team.

In addition, some cancers require radiation therapy. If the area of your body receiving radiation includes your heart, you have an increased risk of cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease and heart attack. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy can further increase your risk of heart damage. However, your doctor can take steps to reduce these risks as much as possible.

With

Timothy J. Moynihan, M.D.

Can chemotherapy side effects increase the risk of heart disease?Answers from Timothy J. Moynihan, M.D.

Chemotherapy side effects may increase the risk of heart disease, including weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Certain types of chemotherapy also may increase the risk of heart attack.

Treatment with angiogenesis inhibitors and certain other targeted medications has been linked to high blood pressure (hypertension).

Fortunately, heart disease associated with chemotherapy is rare — and not all chemotherapy drugs carry the potential side effect of heart damage.

Some anti-cancer treatments may cause temporary heart damage by weakening the heart muscle. These treatments include:

• A class of drugs known as anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, others)
• Newer medications, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta), which are drugs designed to attack the HER2 protein seen in some breast and other cancers

The chance of heart damage from anthracyclines is related to the total amount received during your lifetime. Your doctor will carefully monitor how much of these drugs you receive. Heart weakening from HER2-directed medications, such as trastuzumab, is not related to total lifetime dose and is often reversible.

Certain chemotherapy medications, such as taxanes, can cause an abnormal heart rhythm. This typically occurs temporarily during administration of the medications, so if you feel lightheaded or faint be sure to tell your chemotherapy nurse or doctor.

The drugs fluorouracil and capecitabine (Xeloda) can cause spasms of the coronary arteries and bring on a heart attack. This typically reverses quickly once the drug is stopped. If you have severe chest pain or shortness of breath while using these medications, tell your doctor immediately. If symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number.

If your doctor is considering a chemotherapy drug that may affect your heart, you may undergo heart function testing before starting treatment. During treatment, you may need periodic heart monitoring as well. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, such as cardiomyopathy, your doctor may suggest a different type of chemotherapy.

If you experience significant problems, such as shortness of breath with minimal exertion or chest pain during chemotherapy, report it immediately to your health care team.

In addition, some cancers require radiation therapy. If the area of your body receiving radiation includes your heart, you have an increased risk of cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease and heart attack. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy can further increase your risk of heart damage. However, your doctor can take steps to reduce these risks as much as possible.

With

Timothy J. Moynihan, M.D.

[dex]

@jaxs mom Cancer treatments are very difficult but the hope for cure can make them bearable.i am so happy that your treatments worked for you and will pray that you stay well from now on.

[meallen616]

For your sister-in- law,

[Puzzle Piece]

Yes, it can, but not with everyone. 

I did sustain permanent damage to my right aeorta.  I have had cardiac arrests too.  What the doctors call it now is CHF - Congestive Heart Failure.

It only happens to about 1 in 1,000 I was told.  The Adreomyacin(sp) is responsible but necessary to deal with the disease. 

You have choices to make when you are diagnosed with cancer.  You also have to be brave and courageous and live with your choices.  There are no guarantees.

Best to your sister. 

[CANDLEQUEEN]

First off, Prayers for you and your family...My mom had breast cancer many years ago, and 4 years ago ended up with a bad heart, had to have a triple bypass, and still has problems from time to time, her cardiologist said it was from the meds from the chemo when battling breast cancer. My mom is soon to be 85 yrs old and does very very well. My husband's sister also had breast cancer many years ago, and developed a bad heart problem about 7 or 8 years ago, and unfortunately she passed away four years ago....So in some cases-definitely yes, but not in all cases.....

[Pqfan]

Sending prayers for your sister in law.