Cancer Survivors Face Increased Cardiovascular Risk,Studies Show

New research indicates that cancer survivors face a significantly elevated risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. A extensive meta-analysis, encompassing nearly 50 million individuals, reveals a 47% increase in cardiovascular risk for those with a history of cancer compared to individuals without such a history. This highlights the critical need for proactive cardiovascular monitoring and preventative strategies in cancer survivorship care.

Cancer History and Cardiovascular Risk: Key Findings

The meta-analysis,featured in eClinicalMedicine,examined 160 cohort studies,both retrospective and prospective,involving a vast population of 49.4 million participants, including 9.1 million cancer survivors [1]. The findings underscore a clear association between cancer history and heightened cardiovascular vulnerability.

did You Know? The american Heart Association estimates that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for nearly 17.9 million deaths each year [American Heart Association].

Specific Cardiovascular Risks

The research identified a particularly elevated risk of thromboembolic disease among cancer survivors, with a hazard ratio of 3.07. Certain cancer types, including brain, hematological, respiratory, and male and breast genital cancers, appear to pose a greater threat to cardiovascular health. Younger, male patients also seem to be particularly vulnerable.

HSCRP Levels and Myocardial Infarction

Another study published in eBioMedicine suggests that measuring high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP) levels coudl improve cardiovascular risk management in hypertensive patients already undergoing preventive treatment [2].The post-hoc analysis of the Anglo-Scandinavian ASCOT trial, which followed 5,294 English participants on antihypertensive or hypolipidemic drugs for 20 years, found that high HSCRP levels independently predicted cardiovascular events and mortality in stable hypertensive individuals.

Compared to patients with the lowest HSCRP levels, those with the highest concentrations had a 32% increased risk of myocardial infarction and a 25% increased risk of all-cause mortality over 20 years. However, HSCRP levels did not reliably predict stroke risk.

The Role of Intestinal Microbiota

The digestive microbiota is increasingly recognized for its influence on cardiovascular health. The cordioprev clinical trial, published in the European Heart Journal, suggests that specific microbial compositions in the intestinal flora can refine the estimation of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) risk in secondary prevention [3]. The study,which analyzed the microbial composition of samples from 679 patients already treated for cardiovascular disease,found that the presence of certain bacteria types and elevated post-prandial LPS levels were associated with a doubling of MACE risk in secondary prevention.

Predicting Cardiovascular Complications After Respiratory infections

Acute respiratory infections are known to increase the short-term risk of myocardial and stroke infarction. Researchers from Britain and Cyprus have developed a risk prediction score, called DASHI, to estimate the likelihood of cardiovascular events occurring within 28 days of an acute respiratory infection [4]. The score considers factors such as age, diabetes, smoking, heart failure symptoms, and the type of respiratory infection.

Pro Tip: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are crucial for monitoring cardiovascular health, especially if you have