LLUMC - Loma Linda University Medical Center

10/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2026 08:09

Breast cancer: How treatment can affect the heart

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Certain breast cancer treatments, including some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapies, can increase the risk of heart-related complications.
  • Patients with risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity may be more likely to develop treatment-related heart problems.
  • Cardio-oncology teams monitor heart health before, during, and after treatment to help identify and manage potential cardiovascular side effects.

For the 1 in 8 women in the U.S. diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis can bring new health concerns, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Vinisha Garg, MD, director of cardio-oncology at Loma Linda University Cancer Center, explains that certain breast cancer treatments can increase the risk of heart-related complications, making cardiovascular monitoring an important part of a patient's care journey.

What is the link between breast cancer and heart disease?

According to Garg, certain breast cancer treatments, including some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy, can cause cardiotoxicity - an adverse effect that damages the heart or cardiovascular system. "Certain breast cancer treatments and radiation therapy can affect the heart, which is why close monitoring with cardio-oncology is so important," says Garg.

While cardiotoxicity is not always predictable, some patients are at higher risk than others.

Common risk factors include:

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Diabetes

  • Smoking

  • Obesity

How cancer treatment can affect the heart

As Garg explains, damage to the heart and cardiovascular system by certain cancer treatments can manifest in several ways. The most common side effect is a decrease in ejection fraction, a measurement of how well the heart is pumping blood.

"We usually determine ejection fraction by performing an echocardiogram, an ultrasound test that helps us determine heart function," says Garg.

Breast cancer therapies can also commonly affect cardiovascular health by causing abnormal cholesterol levels, heart palpitations, or arrhythmias, which are irregular heart rhythms.

Garg says many breast cancer treatments involve radiation, which can also affect the cardiovascular system. Radiation may affect heart function as well as the heart valves, arteries, and pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart.

How heart care can help reduce risk

The good news? There are steps both you and your care providers can take to address the risk of heart disease.

For patients, those steps may include:

  • Quitting smoking

  • Exercising regularly

  • Managing blood pressure

  • Controlling cholesterol levels

  • Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels

Loma Linda University Health's cardio-oncology team works closely with patients before, during, and after cancer treatment to monitor and protect their heart health.

"Typically for patients who will be starting breast cancer treatment, I will order an EKG, echocardiogram, and other appropriate cardiac tests for heart health screening," Garg says. "I will continue to monitor patients throughout breast cancer treatment to optimize heart health"

For patients receiving treatments such as radiation therapy, monitoring often continues long after cancer treatment has ended.

A team approach to cancer care

While the possibility of cardiotoxicity can sound concerning, Garg reassures patients that protecting their heart is part of the care team's job.

"I always tell my patients not to worry about their heart - that's my job," says Garg.

"Their job is to focus on their treatment and getting better. As a cardio-oncologist, my role is to help them through their cancer treatment while protecting their heart."

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Loma Linda University Health is committed to raising awareness and supporting patients and families affected by breast cancer. For more information on breast health services, explore breast cancer care or request a breast cancer screening for you or a loved one today.

LLUMC - Loma Linda University Medical Center published this content on October 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 02, 2026 at 14:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]