Key result
Cancer survivorship is linked to ~37% higher risk of incident CVD vs non-cancer controls.
Why the study?
Long-term complications of cancer and its therapies may increase CVD risk, but prospective studies using adjudicated cancer and CVD events are lacking.
Does incident cancer increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults?
Cohort (n=12,414)
Does incident cancer increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults?
Adult cancer survivors have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly heart failure and stroke, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“In an analysis of 12,414 participants in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) study, survivors of cancer had 37% higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, 52% higher heart failure risk, and 22% higher stroke risk after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors. Breast, lung, colorectal, and hematologic/lymphatic cancers were independently associated with CVD, underscoring the need for improved risk stratification and prevention in survivors of cancer.”
Cancer survivors may warrant closer CVD monitoring; leaves open modifiability and prevention efficacy pending randomized trials.
Over 80% of adult patients diagnosed with cancer survive long-term. Long-term complications of cancer and its therapies may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but prospective studies utilizing adjudicated cancer and CVD events are lacking. Assess the risk of CVD in cancer survivors in a prospective community-based study. We included 12,414 ARIC participants. Cancer diagnoses were ascertained via linkage with state registries supplemented with medical records. Incident CVD outcomes were coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), stroke, and a composite of these endpoints. We used multivariable Poisson and Cox regression to estimate the association of cancer with incident CVD. Mean age was 54, 55% were female, and 25% Black. 3,250 (25%) participants had incident cancer over a median 13.6 years of follow-up. Age-adjusted IR of CVD (per 1,000 person-years) were 27.0 (24.7, 29.1) for cancer survivors and 12.0 (11.5, 12.4) for non-cancer controls. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, cancer survivors had significantly higher risks of CVD (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.26, 1.50), HF (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.38, 1.68), and stroke (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03, 1.44), but not CHD (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.97, 1.28). Breast, lung, colorectal, and hematologic/lymphatic cancers, but not prostate cancer, were significantly associated with CVD risk. Compared to persons without cancer, adult cancer survivors have significantly higher risk of CVD, especially HF, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. There is an unmet need to define strategies for CVD prevention in this high-risk population.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Florido et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors (n=12,414). Incident cancer vs. Non-cancer controls was evaluated on Incident cardiovascular disease (composite of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke) (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.26, 1.50). Adult cancer survivors had a significantly higher risk of incident cardiovascular disease compared to non-cancer controls (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.26-1.50).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: