Popular Conditions and Treatments
What is Cardio-Oncology?
Cardio-oncology is a special type of medical care focused on the heart health of people with cancer.
Who Benefits from Cardio-Oncology Care?
Our team works closely with Baptist Health oncologists to identify when someone needs a referral to our specialists for preventive heart care or treatment. Cardio-oncology care benefits:
- People who have cancer and a history of cardiovascular disease or are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
- People who are receiving cancer treatments that are potentially damaging to the heart. Such treatments can worsen existing heart problems or cause heart problems in people not already diagnosed with heart disease.
What is the Process for a New Cardio-Oncology Patient?
If your oncologist believes your cancer treatment will put you at risk for developing cardiovascular side effects, they will refer you to our cardio-oncology program for heart imaging. This allows us to see your current heart health and better understand your risk factors for heart disease.
If you are at high risk for heart disease due to other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, our team will make sure these conditions are treated and under control while you receive cancer care.
If our tests show you are at risk for developing heart problems, we will work with you throughout your treatment. Our team will take images of your heart regularly to check for any side effects and adjust medicines as needed.
How Do You Diagnose Cancer-Related Cardiac Conditions?
Our team assesses your heart health using advanced echocardiograms. These imaging tests measure how your heart muscle contracts. We also use echocardiograms to create 3D models of your heart to see how well your heart pumps blood.
Which Cardio-Oncology Treatments Are Available at Baptist Health?
How we treat your heart problem depends on your diagnosis and overall health. In some cases, we may need to adjust or add heart medicines that help prevent your condition from getting worse. In more serious situations, we may do advanced testing to evaluate the arteries of your heart to make sure that blood is flowing freely.
If we determine that you have developed a heart problem because of cancer treatment, we work closely with your oncologist to adjust your treatment plan. This may involve changing or stopping chemotherapy treatment until we can treat your heart condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cardiotoxicity is heart damage caused by cancer treatments.
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Some cancer treatments can cause heart-related side effects. Potential effects include:
- Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
- Blood pressure problems (high or low)
- Cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle)
- Coronary artery disease (narrowing of the heart’s arteries)
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
Our cardio-oncology specialists work to help you prevent these problems or treat them if they develop.
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Not everyone experiences heart-related side effects from cancer treatment.
Your care team will discuss your individual risk as you consider treatment options. Risk can be influenced by several factors, including:
- Alcohol use
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart issues
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Personal history or heart issues
- Poor nutrition
- Sedentary lifestyle
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Cardio-oncology care is tailored to your individual needs.
At Baptist Health, the care team helps manage existing heart conditions, monitor heart health during and after cancer treatment and prescribe medications when needed to reduce risk. They also provide guidance on lifestyle changes and coordinate closely with your oncology team.
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Some people experience symptoms shortly after starting cancer treatment, while others may develop them months or even years later. Keeping a record of your cancer treatment can help guide future care if symptoms develop.
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Tell your care team if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Rapid or forceful heartbeats (palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in your legs
- Unexplained weight gain
Our Locations
Cardiology & Sleep Medicine | Pinecrest
The Baptist Health Cardiology Difference
Your heart health is our priority. Whether you're managing a condition or looking to prevent one, our expert cardiology team is here to guide you every step of the way. We provide compassionate, personalized care, backed by the latest research and innovative treatments—to help you live a longer, healthier life.
Pioneering The Cures Of Tomorrow
Our researchers play a vital role in helping us better understand heart and vascular disease. They participate in a wide variety of clinical trials dedicated to improving treatments that will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Learn more about their work and what it means to be involved in a clinical trial.
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