Cardio-Oncology
Specially trained cardiologists and oncologists work together to prevent heart disease before, during, and after cancer therapy.
Your heart health probably is not top of mind when you’re being treated for cancer, but those beneficial therapies could impact your heart. Virtua’s specially trained cardiologists work closely with oncologists to help prevent heart disease before, during, and after cancer therapy.
Our Approach to Cardio-Oncology
While radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted cancer treatments are helping more people survive and live fulfilling lives, these therapies may cause cardiac toxicity. This could lead to damaging of the heart muscle, valves, and arteries that feed the heart with blood.
Our specially trained cardiologists work with cancer specialists to identify people who have heart disease or are at increased risk and are about to or are undergoing cancer treatment. Using advanced screening tools, we evaluate you for heart problems, such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, or damage to the heart’s valves.
If needed, we’ll create a treatment plan that may include careful monitoring, medication, and procedures.
Virtua Cardio-Oncology Providers
Our specially trained cardiologists work with your oncologist to protect your heart during and after cancer treatment.
Conditions We Treat
Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation used to treat cancer can damage the cells that make up the cardiovascular system, leading to long-term heart and blood vessel damage. This may cause conditions such as:
- Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
- Narrowing of the arteries that feed your heart (coronary artery disease) or the lower half of your body (peripheral artery disease)
- Heart valve disease
- Pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart
- Heart failure
Chemotherapy drugs also can interfere with blood thinners taken to prevent clots and lower risk for heart attack and stroke.
Cardio-Oncology Tests and Treatments
To see if you are at risk for heart damage, your specialist will perform a test called three-dimensional echocardiography with global longitudinal strain.
Strain describes the elastic properties of the heart muscle. By looking at strain, we identify if you will need treatment with medication or additional therapies to protect you heart.
Medications may include:
- Beta blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers
The Virtua Difference for Cardio-Oncology Care
Leading expertise provided by Virtua’s cardiac team and oncologists with the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program.
Leading expertise provided by Virtua’s cardiac team and oncologists with the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program.
Conveniently located offices and hospitals across South Jersey.
Conveniently located offices and hospitals across South Jersey.