Breast cancer patients who exercise pre-diagnosis are at lower risk for heart disease

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on print

Older patients with breast cancer who exercised before diagnosis may be at a lower risk for cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not, according to a study in JACC: CardioOncology.

Researchers examined 4,015 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary breast cancer enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative, which included postmenopausal women age 50-79. Women with cardiovascular disease, a history of any other malignancy prior to enrollment or a body mass index less than or equal to 18.5kg/m2 were excluded.

In the WHI, exercise history at baseline and follow-up were assessed with a questionnaire where patients reported the frequency, duration and intensity of leisure-time physical activity. Researchers examined exercise data that were collected at the visit closest to breast cancer diagnosis and that was between five years and one month prior to diagnosis.

Metabolic equivalent task values were assigned for levels of physical activity per week and exercise was categorized in quartiles: less than 2.5 MET-hours/week (994 patients); 2.50 to greater than 8.625 (1,008 patients); 8.625 to less than 18 (1,011 patients); and greater than or equal to 18 (1,002 patients).

During the study, 324 cardiovascular events occurred. Researchers found that exercising prior to a breast cancer diagnosis was associated with a 20-37% reduction in the risk of first cardiovascular events. The risk of heart attack and heart failure were not impacted, suggesting that exercise may be associated with a greater risk reduction in other cardiovascular events such as angina, coronary revascularization, peripheral artery disease or stroke. Individuals who met current physical activity recommendations (9 MET-hours/week), prior to diagnosis had a 46% lower risk of coronary heart disease death compared to those who exercised less than recommended.

“This study is the first to show the exposure to exercise prior to a cancer diagnosis may potentially protect against or mitigate the established adverse cardiovascular consequences observed in breast cancer patients,” lead author Tochi M. Okwuosa, director of the cardio-oncology program at Rush University Medical Center, said in a statement.

Table of Contents

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Shearwood McClelland III’s grandfather was a ditchdigger who dreamed that his six Black daughters would become doctors. McClelland’s mother did not disappoint—she became the first Black woman board-certified in maternal fetal medicine in the history of the United States.  Now, McClelland is the chief medical officer of Cancer Health Equity at the University of Oklahoma...

As oncology enters a new era of precision medicine, the Food and Drug Administration’s evolving biomarker strategy aims to ensure that life-saving therapies are tailored to individual patient needs, fostering safer and more effective treatments.  Historically, therapies were approved with broad indications based on overall efficacy, even when outcomes for biomarker-positive and -negative patients were...

In the evolving landscape of pediatric oncology, survivorship research has become an essential component of our mission to improve long-term patient outcomes. At City of Hope, we are focused on not only curing childhood cancers but also ensuring that survivors live the healthiest lives possible. A significant part of my research has been dedicated to mitigating the long-term toxicities of cancer therapy—particularly cardiovascular complications that can arise decades after treatment.

Never miss an issue!

Get alerts for our award-winning coverage in your inbox.

Login