This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Arasi Maran about breast cancer survivors and heart health. Dr. Maran is an Associate Professor of Medicine and an interventional cardiologist at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Cardiac prevention can be an important part of follow-up care for breast cancer survivors. Doctor Arasi Maran is here to talk about heart health, specifically for breast cancer survivors. Doctor Maran is an Associate Professor of Medicine, and she's an interventional cardiologist at MUSC. Doctor Maran, some breast cancer survivors may be at increased risk of heart issues over the long term. Tell us about this scenario.
Dr. Maran: Yes, this is something we are seeing more and more in cardiology as cancer treatments have gotten so much better. Cancer therapies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer, but sometimes can trigger different autoimmune attacks on the heart muscle, like myocarditis, etc.
Conner: And knowing this scenario for some patients, then will the patient's oncologist typically suggest or connect that survivor with a cardiologist for additional follow-up?
Dr. Maran: Yes. The good news is we are very much aware of these risks now. And there's an entire field of cardio oncology that's emerged. To address this, oncologists are monitoring patients closely and make appropriate referrals to cardio oncologists or other cardiologists so that we can work together using protective medications when appropriate, and follow cancer survivors long term to adequately and appropriately treat cardiovascular complications.
Conner: And what sort of extra heart prevention and cardiac screening might be appropriate, then, for breast cancer survivors?
Dr. Maran: There's a lot you can do. The number one is to talk to your oncologist before starting your treatment, about your cardiac risk, whether you have high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of heart disease, so that your oncologist takes all this while preparing and planning your treatment. During treatment, stay active as much as your energy allows. I know it sounds counterintuitive when you're doing chemotherapy, but even light exercise like walking around the block, gentle stretching, protects the heart. And there is actually good data showing that exercise during cancer treatment reduces cardiotoxicity. So, ultimately, we can only control the risk factors which we can control, which is managing your blood pressure, keeping your diabetes in check, and absolutely avoiding smoking and consuming alcohol. The bottom line is it's a team sport. Your cancer doctor and your cardiologist should be working together. And after your chemotherapy and your cancer therapy is completed, please do not disappear from medical care. Make sure you come up for follow-ups with your cardiologist. And the treatment, as I said, can go on up to 5 to 20 years after your cancer therapy is completed.
Conner: Doctor Maran, do you have any other tips or strategies to suggest to breast cancer survivors about their heart health?
Dr. Maran: Absolutely. The key message here: you are not powerless here. Being an active participant in your care. Asking questions. Staying as healthy as possible. Getting appropriate follow-up. Make sure you're getting screened for coronary artery disease up to ten years after treatment. All of this really makes a difference in preventing these complications.
Conner: Doctor Maran, thanks so much for talking with us about breast cancer survivors and heart health.
Dr. Maran: Thank you so much.
Conner: Bobbi from the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
