Cardio-Oncology
What is cardio-oncology?
Cardio-oncology is one of the most rapidly growing specialties across the national and international healthcare sphere. The number of programs, educational courses and scientific publications is increasing dramatically. Fellowship training programs and guidelines from multiple cardiovascular and oncologic societies are emerging and providing best practice strategies.
Patients with cancer may have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease since cancer therapies may affect the heart and vascular systems. It is important to prevent, monitor, and treat cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors and patients to ensure long-term health.
The Lee Health Heart Institute team collaborates with the Lee Health Cancer Institute team to ensure our cardiologists and oncologists provide comprehensive cardiovascular care for patients with cancer.
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Medical Plaza One
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Coconut Point
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Metro Parkway
Our cardio-oncologists have had advanced training and dedicated themselves to learning more about how cancer therapy affects the heart.
Our Cardio-Oncology Program Goals
- Ensure better outcomes for patients with heart disease and cancer
- Recognize early cardiotoxicity from therapy
- Prevent, reduce, and if possible, reverse cardiac damage
- Monitor patients with potential cardiac issues undergoing chemo or radiation therapy
- Understand cardiac issues during cancer therapy
- Remove cardiac disease as a barrier to effective cancer therapy
- Participate in establishing best survival practices for cardiac surveillance after therapy
Who is this for?
The focus is on three groups:
- Those with existing heart disease who develop cancer to ensure their heart can withstand the stress of treatment. All these patients need to see their cardiologist to be referred.
- Those who are considered cancer survivors and have either undergone radiation therapy with portals that have included the heart or received cardiotoxic regimens.
- Those currently undergoing chemotherapy with cardiotoxic agents to monitor for subtle changes in cardiac function that may signal an early decrease in cardiac function.
Learn More About Our Imaging Technology
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Myocardial Strain Imaging
Learn more about this non-invasive test that allows doctors to take pictures of your heart and identify subtle changes in heart function.
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Cardiac Imaging
Lee Health Heart Institute offers advanced cardiac services that utilize cutting-edge AI imaging technology. Our expert team provides accurate and efficient diagnostic evaluations for comprehensive cardiac care. Contact us today!
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Three-dimensional (3D) Echocardiogram
Ultrasound-enhancing agents in echocardiography are frequently and widely used in cardiology. Learn more here about 3D echocardiography techniques offered at Lee Health. Our facilities are in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Estero.
What You Should Know
- Heart disease and cancer have shared biology and risk factors
- It is well established that cancer survivors die of cardiovascular disease in greater numbers than recurrent cancer
- The number of cancer survivors is increasing dramatically and the majority of those are over 65 (the so-called silver tsunami of cancer care).
- The number of novel cancer agents is extraordinary both in their efficacy and their adverse cardiovascular effects which necessitates a strategy to care for these patients during active treatment and beyond
- Childhood cancer treatments have lasting cardiac effects, these patients need to be monitored lifelong
- Data exists to demonstrate that patient care, patient and provider satisfaction, and Quality of Life for cancer patients are all increased with a coordinated Cardio-Oncology program, while costs and interruptions in cancer therapy are lowered with such programs.
New Cardio-Obstetrics Program for Expecting Mothers
Our new cardio-obstetrics program offers expert care to help manage your heart health throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.
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Cardio-obstetrics
Lee Health Heart Institute specialists at the Cardio-obstetrics Program monitor heart conditions before, during, and after pregnancy.