Cardio-Oncology

Chemotherapy or radiation treatments are often used to treat and cure cancer, but they also may cause damage to the heart. These potential side effects are known as cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity can develop during cancer treatment or can occur within days, months, or even years after successful cancer treatment. These side effects can potentially impact quality of life and life expectancy.

The innovative cardio-oncology program at UConn Health was created to detect cardiac health risks or conditions early by tracking cancer patients with an advanced heart imaging test before, during, and after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Multidisciplinary specialists from the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center and the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center work together to prevent or minimize a patient’s risk of heart damage during and after treatment. The program also evaluates and manages patients who have had cancer treatment in the past and develop new cardiac symptoms or problems.

If you are concerned about your cardiac health during or after cancer treatment, talk to your doctor about a cardiac evaluation to assess your current and future risk.