Risk Factors
There are four risk factors that cause Black people to be 20 times more likely to develop heart failure, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine :
- High Blood Pressure: Three-fourths of African Americans who develop heart failure have high blood pressure by the age of 40.
- Kidney Disease
- Being Overweight
- Having low levels of HDL (good cholesterol)
“Our results allow us to speculate that there may be a causal relationship between heart failure and an increased rate of cancer. This is biologically plausible, as there is experimental evidence that factors secreted by the failing heart may stimulate tumor growth,” Luedde says in an ESC news release.
“While heart failure and cancer share common risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, these were accounted for in the analysis by matching,” he explains.
The researchers did not have information on smoking, alcohol consumption or physical activity, so these factors were not used in the analysis.
It is important that you maintain a good relationship with your doctor, know your medical history, take part in screenings and take preventive measures to prevent yourself from developing heart failure or cancer.
High blood pressure is the major risk factor for heart failure so start by making sure you’re keeping track of your numbers and asking your doctor the important questions:
- What is my risk for developing high blood pressure?
- How can I limit my risk and help prevent it?
- What are the symptoms?
- What does my blood pressure reading actually mean?
- Am I taking any medicines that make me more susceptible?
- What medications are available if I have high blood pressure?
- What are the benefits and side effects?
“It is common practice for cancer patients who have received heart-damaging drugs to be monitored for heart failure. Conversely, evidence is accumulating to indicate that heart failure patients could benefit from intensive monitoring for cancer development — for example through screening,” Luedde says. “Considering the high incidence of both diseases and their impact of the lives of those affected, these patients deserve the maximum joint efforts of cardiologists and oncologists.”