An article brought to you by Dara Kurtz. Dara Kurtz is a breast cancer survivor and provides Survivor Mentorship & Support at Cancer Services.
How to Keep Your Heart Healthy After Cancer
Finishing cancer treatment is a huge accomplishment and milestone. From now on, you will want to make sure to think about how to stay as healthy as possible. One of the ways you can do this, as a cancer survivor, is to remember your heart needs care, too. Sometimes, we’re so focused on how we can prevent a recurrence that we forget to think about our heart health.
There are certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation to the chest, and even some targeted therapies, that can affect your heart even years after your last treatment. Because of this, it’s important to pay attention to how you can protect your heart after treatment. You may want to consider consulting a cardio-oncologist, especially if your doctor recommends it.
Here are 6 ways you can help your heart:
- Move Your Body
Every little bit counts. Exercises such as walking, yoga, swimming, or cycling are great ways to help strengthen your heart. Aim for thirty minutes of moderate activity on most days. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, and be sure to check out Cancer Services’ survivorship exercise program Get Real and HEEL once it makes a comeback next spring!
2. Eat Heart-Healthy Foods
Not only can eating healthy help you as a cancer survivor, but it can also positively impact your heart. Vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts, are all important. Go easy on processed snacks, sugary drinks, excess salt, and red and processed meats. Think Plant-Based. Julie, our in-house Cancer Dietitian has some great resources such as webinars, recipes, and blog posts to help you get started on your journey to plant-based eating!
3. Pay Attention to Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Make sure to get these numbers checked regularly and to discuss this with your doctor. High blood pressure or cholesterol doesn’t often cause symptoms, which is why it’s essential to get these checked.
4. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Even a modest amount of weight loss can positively impact your risk of heart disease. Exercise and healthy eating will also help you here.
5. Manage Stress and Sleep
Going through cancer can be very stressful, but so can learning to live as a survivor. Fortunately, there are many ways you can manage your stress, including meditation, journaling, talk therapy, or support groups. Many survivors benefit from attending our monthly support groups to help manage their stress and connect with other survivors. Additionally, try to aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
6. Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Smoking increases your risk of both heart disease and cancer, and quitting can have significant benefits. Make sure you stick to the recommended limits if you drink alcohol, and talk to your doctor to learn if you should avoid alcohol altogether.
The good news is that there are a lot of ways you can help yourself stay as healthy as possible. Not only is this beneficial when it comes to a recurrence, but it’s also heart-healthy.
Contact us at Cancer Services if you need help connecting to available resources or if you have any questions. Come by our office, call (336-760-9983), or email (julie@cancerservicesonline.org)!
Dara Kurtz is a breast cancer survivor and provides Survivor Mentorship & Support at Cancer Services. To read more tips from Dara Kurtz, check out our Thrive tips page. You can also visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter.
