Cardio-Oncology

Medical advancements have significantly improved cancer treatment and care, allowing patients to live longer and fuller lives. As survival from many cancer types improve, there is a growing awareness of the increased rates of heart disease among cancer survivors. Many cancers have risk factors which overlap with the risk factors for heart disease and some commonly used cancer treatments can cause heart disease long after patients have completed their cancer care. Cardio-oncology is a branch of cardiology that seeks to identify cancer patients at risk for heart disease in order to protect the heart at every stage of a cancer patient's journey to better health.

Do Cardiologists Deal With Cancer?

Cardio-oncology is a relatively new and rapidly developing cardiology subspecialty that aims to prevent, detect, monitor and treat cardiac complications in patients with cancer or receiving cancer therapy. Cardio-oncologists are cardiologists who focus on providing care to cancer patients before, during and after cancer treatment. They diagnose and treat cardiotoxicities and collaborate with oncologists to reduce the harmful effects of specific cancer treatments on the heart.

While cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation and immune system therapies, can help prevent cancer from progressing and spreading to other body organs, other health issues and conditions such as heart disease can arise.

Cardiovascular problems that can occur with cancer therapeutics such as heart rhythm problems, heart failure, high blood pressure and heart valve problems can interrupt or stop a patient's cancer treatment, leading to inadequate treatment of their cancer. In some cases heart problems do not manifest until many years following cancer treatment.

Insurances Accepted

Let's help put your mind at ease. We're prepared to care for you and your loved ones at every stage of life. We accept various medical insurance plans at our Baptist Medical Network locations in San Antonio so you can get the care you need for your condition. For questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance provider directly or visit our  patient resources page for your billing and insurance questions. If you have specific questions regarding insurance coverage at any Baptist Medical Network location, call us at 210-606-9071.