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Cardio-Oncology

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When you choose to go through cancer treatment, the same agents that shrink and kill cancer cells can also harm your heart. This is particularly concerning if you are at risk of developing a heart condition, or if you already have one. The WMCHealth Cardio-Oncology Program provides expert care for both conditions, making sure you get the best and most effective treatment.

What Is a Cardio-Oncologist?

A cardio-oncologist is a cardiologist (heart doctor) or oncologist (cancer doctor) with additional training beyond their primary specialty. They concentrate on safeguarding your cardiovascular system during critical cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. This includes monitoring for potential heart damage, managing heart conditions, and developing strategies to minimize cardiovascular risks. 

By working closely with your oncology team, a cardio-oncologist ensures that your heart health is maintained before, during, and after cancer treatment.

Cardiotoxicity

Cardiotoxicity is heart damage arising from cancer treatment. This condition can hinder your heart’s ability to effectively pump blood throughout your body. Cardiotoxicity may cause several heart problems, including cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, and coronary artery disease.

Although preventing cardiotoxicity entirely isn’t possible, the WMCHealth cardio-oncology team can effectively reduce your risks and help your heart work more efficiently. We are committed to providing you with attentive cardiovascular care.

Our Approach

At WMCHealth, we care for you as we would our own family. Our cardio-oncology team understands that compassion is just as essential to effective treatment as their renowned research and expertise. We strive to provide a seamless, stress-free experience at every stage, from consultation to aftercare.

Evaluating Your Heart Health

WMCHealth offers several diagnostic techniques to evaluate the current condition of your heart and to monitor any changes or potential damage throughout cancer treatment. Tests to assess your heart and its surrounding blood vessels for structure, movement, and blood flow may include:

  • Echocardiogram (a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to create images)
  • Nuclear cardiovascular imaging (the use of special radionuclide dyes, also known as tracers, to evaluate blood flow)
  • Cardiac MRI (the use of a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to create images)
  • Exercise stress test (involving a physical activity, like walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike, to evaluate how your heart responds)

Cardio-Oncology Treatment at WMCHealth

Managing your heart condition requires careful planning and coordination among various medical teams. Our cardio-oncology team works closely with your oncologist to develop a treatment plan that prioritizes your overall health. Treatment options may include:

  • Medications to prevent or manage heart damage
  • Adjustments in cancer treatment dosage or type to minimize cardiovascular risks
  • Lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and regular exercise, to improve heart health

Cardiovascular Interventions

WMCHealth has state-of-the art technologies and laboratories to provide procedural interventions to treat a range of cardiac conditions. These may include:

  • Electrophysiology procedures (for treatment of heart arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats, such as AFib)
  • Cardiac catheterization (to remove excess fluid buildup around your heart when you have metastatic cancer)
  • Cardiac surgery (to treat your underlying heart disease)