Compassionate Cancer Care With Your Heart in Mind
When you're facing cancer, we do everything we can to help you take charge of your whole health — including protecting your heart during cancer treatment. With a tailored treatment plan, including sophisticated cardiac tests and screenings and a designated Care Coordinator at your side, you'll receive personalized guidance for your cancer journey.
Your Heart Is in the Right Place With a Multidisciplinary Team of Experts
From innovative research that leads to breakthroughs, to a whole-person, multidisciplinary cardio-oncology care approach, our specialists work tirelessly to bring you leading-edge diagnostics for accurate results, leading to customized treatment options that help you live your best life.
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Whole-Person Cardio-Oncology Care
Our whole-person care philosophy is embedded into every interaction with our patients. We understand that when one part of the whole is hurting, whether it’s one part of the body or a beloved member of a family unit, it affects all the other parts — in body, mind and spirit. We want you to know that you won’t walk this path alone.
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Cardiovascular Research
Our goal to deliver the best cardio-oncology care is what drives us as we work closely with patients and families. This focus on innovation has led to numerous breakthroughs with studies like BEAT HF — which tests whether the Barostim Neo® is safe and works for those with heart failure — and Southpaw, a trial to evaluate your ability to exercise after taking oral treprostinil. We’re working toward better treatments for you and your loved ones.
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Multidisciplinary Expertise
We provide specialized, multidisciplinary cardio-oncology care, integrating advanced imaging, surgical expertise and comprehensive, lifelong management. Our expert team includes cardiologists, oncologists (or cardio-oncologists), hematologists and radiation oncologists working alongside specialized nurses and pharmacists, all focused on helping you thrive with your condition.
Cardio-Oncology-Related Conditions We Treat
Our cardio-oncology program provides specialized care to evaluate, monitor and treat heart conditions caused by cancer therapies. We focus on protecting your heart before, during and after cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Some of those conditions may include the following:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure and cardiomyopathy
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Vascular disease
Explore Cardiac Screenings and Tests Recommended During Cancer Treatments
Some cancer treatments can lower your ejection fraction — the ability of the left ventricle to pump blood — leading to an increased risk of heart failure. If you have had chemotherapy or radiation in the area of the heart, you may receive several tests to monitor the ejection fraction during treatment or for several years after treatment (or both). These may include the following.
- Tests That Check the Heart’s Ability to Pump Blood
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3D Echocardiogram with Strain Imaging
This is a newer and more sensitive ultrasound test that allows for a three-dimensional view of the moving heart and early detection of damage to the heart before it leads to a decline in the heart’s ability to pump. This noninvasive test uses a transducer that is placed on your left chest and abdomen as you lie on your left side. It lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes and is performed by specially trained ultrasound technologists. There are instances when you will need an intravenous (IV) line to allow the use of a medication called Definity® that enhances the ultrasound pictures. A cardiologist will interpret the results and generate a report that is then sent to your oncologist.Cardiac MRI
This detailed test is usually requested when there are concerns about the structure of the heart or there is an inability to obtain adequate pictures by echocardiogram. It employs a non-radiating contrast and requires you to lie on a moving table that slides you through a magnetic field.Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound test that sends sound waves through the chest wall to your heart. The sound waves bounce off the heart and are turned into moving pictures that can be seen on a video screen. The pictures can be used to assess potential harmful effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on the heart.Multigated Acquisition (MUGA)
The MUGA test involves introducing a radioactive solution through an IV line and then taking an X-ray. It calculates the ability of the heart’s main chamber to pump. The test duration is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. - Other Tests to Check Your Heart During Cancer Treatment
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Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Certain cancer treatments change how electrical activity travels through your heart. You may need an ECG — which takes a picture of your heart’s electrical activity —before chemotherapy and during the course of treatment.Other types of cardiac tests that are sometimes needed to diagnose the health of your heart include:
- Ambulatory ECG
- Cardiac catheterization
- Exercise test
Your Heart Matters Most to Our Cardiologists
Your heart supports your whole health — and so do our physicians. Count on our experienced cardiologists near you to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs before, during and after your cancer treatment, so your heart can beat stronger for longer.
Answering Your Cardio-Oncology Questions
The more you know about your cancer treatment plan and any heart related conditions, the more empowered you’ll be as you and your family take care of your cardiac health. We’re here to answer these frequently asked questions about cardio-oncology care. Your care team will be happy to answer any other questions that come up throughout your ongoing treatment.
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Q:Question: What is cardio-oncology?
A:Answer:Cardio-oncology is a subspecialty of cardiology that focuses on preventing, monitoring and treating cardiovascular diseases in cancer patients and survivors. The primary goal is to protect your heart and manage heart conditions so you can successfully complete your cancer treatments.
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Q:Question: Why is cardio-oncology care needed?
A:Answer:Cancer therapies (like certain chemotherapies, radiation and immunotherapies) can sometimes cause side effects that may damage the heart and blood vessels. Cardio-oncology bridges the gap between heart and cancer specialists to minimize these risks.
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Q:Question: Who needs cardio-oncology care?
A:Answer:Patients are referred to a cardio-oncologist for these circumstances:
- Pre-treatment: Patients who have a history of heart disease or high cardiac risk factors and are about to undergo cancer therapies
- During treatment: Patients who develop new heart issues while undergoing cancer treatment
- Post-treatment: Cancer survivors who need long-term monitoring or treatment for heart complications that appeared after their cancer therapy ended
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Q:Question: What is a cardio-oncologist?
A:Answer:A cardio-oncologist is a specialized cardiologist who treats heart conditions caused by cancer treatments, a condition called cardiotoxicity. They work with oncologists to protect your heart health before, duringand after cancer treatment, allowing for the safest, most effective care.
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Q:Question: What cardio-oncology services are typically provided?
A:Answer:Cardio-oncology services typically include:
- Pre-Treatment Risk Assessment: Evaluating baseline heart health and stratifying the risk of cardiotoxicity before starting high-risk cancer therapies
- Cardiotoxicity Surveillance: Tracking heart function during and after treatment using advanced cardiovascular imaging
- Heart Monitoring and Management: Treating chemotherapy-induced or radiation-induced heart conditions, including heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension and valve issues
- Cancer Therapy Modification: Working directly with oncologists to adjust, space out or substitute cancer medications to protect the heart without compromising cancer treatment efficacy
- Survivorship and Wellness: Providing long-term cardiovascular screening for cancer survivors and offering lifestyle interventions, such as nutrition counseling and medically supervised exercise programs
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Q:Question: How can I get connected with a cardio-oncologist?
A:Answer:To get connected with a cardio-oncologist, you can:
- Ask your primary care doctor for a referral
- Book online
- Call an Oncology Nurse Navigator
Find Expert Cardio-Oncology Care Near You
The expertise and support you need to keep your heart beating strong are right here at our AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute. We offer trusted cardio-oncology care and more, close to home. Explore our locations or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.