Heart question

Krissy59

Just curious....do any of you see a heart doctor for routine check ups? I have a friend who had treatment for breast cancer and then several years later was found to have extensive damage to her heart from the chemo. I did some research and it seems that Mitomycin and 5 FU both can have damaging effects on the heart. I don't have a primary care physician, but none of my other doctors (oncologist, radiation, or colorectal surgeon) have ever mentioned that I should see an cardiologist. So, I was just wondering if this was another doctor that we need to be having check ups with. What are your thoughts?

mp327

Krissy

I know that both of these chemo drugs can cause heart problems, but I think they're rare.  They may be more common in people who are already predisposed to heart disease, but I don't know.  I saw a cardiologist about 3 years after my treatment ended for some troubling symptoms--shortness of breath and occasional chest tightness.  However, nothing was ever mentioned about it possibly being connected to the chemo drugs.  I had several tests and nothing was found to explain my symptoms, which went away and have not recurred.

Krissy59

mp327 said:

Krissy

I know that both of these chemo drugs can cause heart problems, but I think they're rare.  They may be more common in people who are already predisposed to heart disease, but I don't know.  I saw a cardiologist about 3 years after my treatment ended for some troubling symptoms--shortness of breath and occasional chest tightness.  However, nothing was ever mentioned about it possibly being connected to the chemo drugs.  I had several tests and nothing was found to explain my symptoms, which went away and have not recurred.

Thank you

Thanks Martha! I appreciate your response and it is good to know that heart trouble related to the chemo is rare.