New research suggests a connection between heart disease and breast cancer. According to one recent study, people who have advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis have increased odds of heart disease. Other researchers have recently suggested that rapid weight gain after a breast cancer diagnosis may increase the risk of developing heart failure​​.

The first study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that women who had advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis also had a 10 percent higher likelihood of having cardiovascular disease. The association was particularly observed in hormone receptor-positive types of breast cancer. Researchers believe this may be due to heart disease suppressing the immune system, potentially allowing cancer to grow and spread more aggressively.

Separately, a study in JAMA Oncology found that women who gained 5 percent to 10 percent of their body weight after a breast cancer diagnosis had a 59 percent higher risk of heart failure, compared to those who maintained their weight. Those who gained more than 10 percent had an 85 percent increased risk​. The study also found that women who had body mass index scores in the obese range when they were diagnosed with breast cancer and maintained this weight throughout the study did not see an increased risk for heart failure.

Why Monitoring Heart Health Matters

These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring heart health after a breast cancer diagnosis. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause heart-related side effects, and rapid weight gain may further increase the risk of heart complications. At the same time, preexisting heart disease could play a role in how breast cancer progresses.

For those living with breast cancer, regular heart screenings, maintaining a balanced weight, and discussing cardiovascular risks with a healthcare provider may be crucial steps in improving long-term health outcomes.

Learn more about potential side effects of breast cancer treatments and how to best stay healthy.

Find Your Team

On MyBCTeam, the social network for people living with breast cancer and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Have you noticed changes in your heart health after a breast cancer diagnosis? How do you manage heart-related concerns? Share your experiences in a comment below, start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.