Cardiovascular Disease in Adult Cancer Survivors: a Review of Current Evidence, Strategies for Prevention and Management, and Future Directions for Cardio-oncology.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is long-term complication of both cancer and anti-cancer treatment and can have significant ramifications for health-related quality of life and mortality. This narrative review explores the current evidence linking cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as exploring strategies for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease, and outlines future opportunities in the field of cardio-oncology. Cancer confers risk for various cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, stroke, venous thromboembolism, and valvular heart disease. Cancer treatment, in particular agents such as platinum-based chemotherapy, anthracyclines, hormonal treatments, and thoracic radiotherapy, further increases risk. While cardiovascular disease can be identified early and effectively managed in cancer survivors, cardiovascular screening and management does not typically feature in routine long-term cancer care of adult cancer survivors. Cancer and cancer treatment can accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. Further research into screening and management strategies for cardiovascular disease, along with evidence-based guidelines, is required to ensure adult cancer survivors receive appropriate long-term care.