Cardiovascular disease (CVD) often poses significant risks to people’s health and lives. However, studies show that people who have suffered from CVD are also at a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer.

According to the American Heart Association, CVD is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in every four deaths. Furthermore, cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, are also risk factors for developing cancer.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer

Cardiovascular disease and cancer both involve cells that experience changes that lead to the development of symptoms and health problems, but the specifics of these changes can be quite different.

Additionally, cardiovascular disease and cancer share some common risk factors, including tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet.

Impact of CVD on cancer development and death

A study conducted by the American Heart Association shows that people who have suffered from CVD are more likely to die from cancer than those who have not experienced CVD.

Additionally, individuals who have survived a heart attack or stroke are at a higher risk of developing cancer, developing it at a younger age, and dying from cancer. According to the research, this increased risk of cancer is likely due to shared risk factors for both CVD and cancer, as well as the impact of CVD treatment on the immune system.

Shared risk factors

As previously mentioned, many risk factors for CVD are also risk factors for cancer. For instance, both diseases have been linked to hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

Poor diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use also put individuals at a higher risk of both diseases. Moreover, people who have had CVD are more likely to experience physical limitations that make physical activity harder, increasing their risk of both diseases even further.

CVD treatment and cancer risk

CVD treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can damage DNA and impact the immune system, leading to an increase in cancer risk.

For instance, radiation therapy can cause healthy cells to become cancerous, while chemotherapy drugs can damage DNA or impact how cells divide. Moreover, medicines used for CVD treatment, such as hormone therapies or heart surgery that affect cells that might become cancerous, all impact cancer development risk.

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

Preventing both cardiovascular disease and cancer involves making lifestyle choices that prioritize health and wellness. Eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco products can reduce the likelihood of both diseases.

Additionally, getting regular exercise and monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. People who have suffered from CVD should speak with their doctors about cancer screening recommendations as well.

Conclusion

CVD not only puts people at risk of heart attacks and stroke, but it also increases the risk of developing cancer.

The shared risk factors between the two diseases, plus the impact of CVD treatment on the immune system, all contribute to this increased risk. People who have experienced CVD should prioritize making healthy lifestyle choices to reduce their cancer risk while undergoing cancer screenings, as recommended by their doctors.

By taking care of our health, we can reduce the likelihood of developing CVD, cancer, and other life-threatening diseases.