top of page
Search

The Heart–Breast Health Connection Every Survivor Should Know

Breast cancer survivorship is about more than reaching the end of treatment, it’s about protecting your long-term health and quality of life. One important connection that often goes unmentioned is the link between breast cancer and heart health.


For survivors, caring for your heart is not separate from caring for your future, it’s an critical part of it.


Why Heart Health Matters After Breast Cancer

Thanks to early detection and advances in treatment, more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. But research now shows that heart disease is a leading cause of illness and death among breast cancer survivors, sometimes even surpassing the cancer itself.


This doesn’t mean treatment wasn’t worth it. It means survivorship care must be whole-body care.


Knowledge is power. Explore Check for a Lump’s educational resources to learn how early detection and informed care support long-term health.


How Breast Cancer Treatment Can Affect the Heart

Some breast cancer treatments, while lifesaving, can place added stress on the heart. These effects vary by person, treatment type, and length of therapy, but may include:

  • Certain chemotherapy drugs that can weaken the heart muscle

  • Radiation therapy, especially when targeting the left breast, which may affect nearby heart tissue

  • Hormonal therapies that can influence cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or weight


The American Heart Association notes that these factors can increase long-term cardiovascular risk for survivors, especially when combined with existing risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.


Shared Risk Factors: Breast Cancer and Heart Disease


Breast cancer and heart disease share several overlapping risk factors, including:

  • Physical inactivity

  • Poor nutrition

  • Chronic stress

  • Smoking

  • Obesity

  • Inflammation


This overlap means that many of the steps taken to support heart health also support breast health, making prevention and survivorship efforts doubly powerful.


Early detection doesn’t stop after treatment. If you or someone you love is due for a screening, or facing barriers to access, Check for a Lump helps provide life-saving mammograms and diagnostic testing for uninsured AZ residents, and can help the insured find affordable options.


What Survivors Can Do to Protect Their Heart

The good news? Survivors are not powerless. Small, consistent actions can significantly support heart health over time.


1. Keep Up With Follow-Up Care Survivors should talk with their healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, especially after breast cancer treatment. Early awareness helps prevent bigger problems later.


2. Move Your Body in Ways That Feel Good Regular movement supports heart strength, circulation, and energy levels. Walking, stretching, yoga, swimming, or light strength training all count, especially for survivors easing back into activity.


3. Nourish With Intention A heart-healthy diet rich in lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats supports energy, healing, and long-term wellness. Fill your plate with a variety of colorful, whole foods. A heart-healthy diet supports cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and overall wellness.


4. Manage Stress and Emotional Health Chronic stress affects both heart and immune health. Mindfulness, prayer, breathing exercises, counseling, and community support can all help lower stress levels.


You don’t have to navigate survivorship alone. Programs like Survivors Unite, Girls Night Out, and other Check for a Lump survivor gatherings offer connection, encouragement, and shared strength.


5. Advocate for Your Long-Term Health Ask your healthcare team how your cancer treatment may affect your heart and what screenings you may need.  Survivors should feel empowered to ask about their long-term health. Your questions matter and so does your peace of mind.


A Message of Empowerment, Not Fear

Learning about heart health after breast cancer is not meant to add worry, it’s meant to add years, strength, and confidence. Survivorship is a journey, and caring for your heart is one way to honor how far you’ve come.


At Check for a Lump, we believe education can save lives, not just through early detection, but through informed, empowered survivorship.


Your heart carried you through diagnosis, treatment, and healing. It deserves care, too.



Learn More & Get Support

  • 💗 Education & Prevention Programs: Learn more about breast health education, wellness workshops, and community outreach through Check for a Lump.

  • 🎗️ Mammograms & Diagnostic Support: If cost or access is a barrier, Check for a Lump helps provide affordable resources or screening mammograms and follow-up diagnostic testing to uninsured Arizona residents in need.

  • 💕 Survivor Events & Community: Join us for survivor-centered events designed to bring connection, joy, and healing beyond treatment.


Trusted Resources & References

 
 
 

Comments

Recent Posts

Recent Posts

bottom of page