Who is at risk for cardiotoxicity?

Who is at risk for cardiotoxicity?

In general, patients with existing heart disease at the time they start cancer treatment and those with risk factors for heart disease may be at highest risk. Heart disease risk factors include:

• Cigarette smoking
• Obesity
• High fat diet
• Inactive lifestyle
• Family history of heart disease

Some chemotherapy drugs affect the heart muscle and the blood vessels, so patients on these drugs have a higher risk for cardiotoxicity, especially if they have underlying heart risk factors.Patients who receive radiation therapy to the chest may be at risk because of the proximity of the heart to the radiation field.