Cardio-Oncology

Many cancer treatments -- chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, cellular therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy, and targeted therapies -- can cause side effects that affect the heart muscle, heart rhythm, and blood vessels. The damage can put you at higher risk for certain heart conditions, including arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, pericarditis, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), blood clots, and more.

Reasons You May Be Referred

You may be referred to a Duke cardio-oncologist if your oncologist or health care provider determines that you are at risk for these and other conditions. For example, you may be referred to a cardio-oncologist if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol that needs to be better controlled. You may also be referred if you are over the age of 60, smoke, or have diabetes, obesity, or a pre-existing heart condition.

You may also be referred if you are about to receive, or have received, a treatment known to affect the heart -- or if you experienced heart problems during previous cancer treatment.

Your cardio-oncologist works closely with your oncologist to help you manage your condition during and after your treatment. Early identification of your risk can help prevent heart disease. Effective treatment of an existing heart condition can help slow its progression.

Your cardio-oncologist will coordinate your care with your oncologist during all phases of your cancer treatment.

Before Cancer Treatment

At your first visit, your cardio-oncologist will conduct a thorough cardiovascular risk assessment. This will include a review of your medical history and a physical exam.

You may also undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG), a heart imaging test (echocardiogram), and blood tests that measure heart strain or injury. If more detail is needed, your doctor may also order cardiac MRI or CT imaging. These tests will help your care team determine how well your heart is functioning and whether your risk for heart disease requires medication or lifestyle changes to protect and strengthen your heart during cancer treatment.

Follow-Up Visits During Cancer Treatment

Ongoing visits with your cardio-oncologist will help identify small changes in heart function that should be addressed quickly so that your cancer treatment is not interrupted.

After Cancer Treatment Has Ended

Once treatment has ended, follow-up visits with your cardio-oncologist will identify heart or blood vessel damage that arises over time. This ongoing care will ensure the risk of heart disease is minimized so you can enjoy a healthy, cancer-free life.

One Team for Heart and Cancer Care 

At Duke, cardio-oncologists work directly with oncologists and hematologists, so your heart care fits your cancer treatment plan and helps you complete it on schedule. If you need a heart procedure, such as a stent or a valve repair or replacement, our interventional and structural cardiologists plan it together with your cancer team.

Early Detection for Better Outcomes

We use advanced testing technologies to detect early signs of heart strain, often before symptoms begin. This allows for earlier intervention, fewer complications, and improved outcomes.

With You at Every Stage

We provide care before, during, and after cancer treatment, including long-term survivors who received therapies that can affect the heart years later.

Research-Driven Treatment

Our doctors study how cancer therapies affect the heart and which treatments best protect it, and we apply this knowledge to your unique care plan. As a Duke patient, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials studying new therapies that are not widely available.

Convenient Access

In-person appointments are available in Durham and Cary. We also offer telehealth (video visit) options for many follow-up visits.