on PinterestA heart-healthy lifestyle can help promote longevity following cancer treatment.
on PinterestA heart-healthy lifestyle can help promote longevity following cancer treatment. Tatiana Maksimova/Getty Images
- Researchers say that people who have undergone cancer treatment can decrease their mortality risk by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- They suggest following the guidelines listed in the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 plan.
- Experts say heart health is particularly important for cancer survivors, especially those who have undergone treatments that can increase cardiovascular risks.
People who have been treated for cancer can improve their chances for longevity by adopting seven principles of a heart healthy lifestyle, according to a new study.
Researchers say cancer survivors can significantly reduce their risk of early mortality by maintaining healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, and keeping their body weight and blood pressure at healthy levels.
The study, published on December 16 in the European Heart Journal, noted that cardiovascular disease and cancer “modifiable risk factors and potential molecular mechanisms.”
“The findings underscore the importance of integrating cardiovascular health promotion into cancer care,” the study authors wrote.
“Our study further supports the emerging field of cardio-oncology that focuses on the intersection of [cardiovascular disease] and cancer to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular issues in cancer patients and survivors,” they continued.
Experts not involved in the study told Healthline that this new research backs up the notion that healthy heart habits for the general population are particularly important for people who have had cancer.
“This observational study adds to growing evidence that cardiovascular health remains critically important after a cancer diagnosis,” said Rohan Khera, MD, a specialist in cardiovascular medicine at Yale Medicine in Connecticut.
“While the study cannot prove causation, it provides evidence to support a focus on cardiovascular prevention into cancer survivorship care,” added Khera, who is also vice chair of the American Heart Association’s recent scientific statement on Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Precision Medicine in Cardio-Oncology.
The experts also noted that some cancer treatments can produce cardiovascular health risks, making these healthy heart habits even more important for many oncology patients.
“While heart health is obviously important for everybody, I believe it is more important for cancer survivors to be vigilant about healthy habits to protect their heart because of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with cancer and cancer therapy,” said Christopher Berg, MD, a non-interventional cardiologist specializing in cardio-oncology at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in California.
‘Life’s Simple 7’ for cancer survivors
For their study, the researchers evaluated the medical records of 779 adults in the Molise region of Italy who were participants in the Moli-Sani study that began in 2005.
The study subjects had all been diagnosed with cancer when they enrolled in the study and were followed for a median of around 15 years.
The researchers utilized the Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) guidelines developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) to evaluate the study participants.
The AHA guidelines list seven factors involved in cardiovascular health. They are:
- diet
- exercise
- smoking
- body weight
- blood pressure
- cholesterol
- blood glucose
The participants were awarded two points for each of the seven categories where they maintained
Learn more about hair transplant at Rubenhair clinic.
Get a Free Consultation
Consult with our specialists about FUE procedure, PRP therapy or hair transplant.
