How childhood cancer may lead to heart problems

As a parent, you do all that you can to help keep your kids healthy. If you’re a parent of a cancer survivor, that takes on a new meaning. Kids live full, happy lives after cancer treatments, but one thing to monitor is their heart health.

Life-saving cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, have increased survival rates and offer the best chance at beating cancer. Unfortunately, these methods can damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing pediatric cancer survivors’ risks of developing conditions linked to heart disease during treatment or later in life.

The subspecialty of cardio-oncology was created to focus on early prevention and detection to help reduce the likelihood of heart issues related to cancer. Through understanding a patient’s risk based on their medical history and creating a tailored long-term plan, the patient can have a long and healthy life post-cancer treatment.

In addition to working with a cardio-oncology team, patients who have had or currently have childhood cancer should take additional steps to keep their heart as healthy as possible, including:

1. Choosing healthy meals and snacks

Make eating healthy a daily priority for the entire family. Find ways to simplify the process and engage your child. Meal planning and prepping, grocery shopping and cooking together, and cutting up produce in advance are all great options.

2. Exercising

When children exercise in ways they find enjoyable, they are far more likely to be active. Work with your child to get them into sports and activities they like. Other great ways to stay active as a family include taking walks, hikes or bike rides. Be sure to clear any physical activity with your child’s physician.

3. Practicing good sleep hygiene

Teach your child the importance of a good night’s rest by having a regular bedtime and wake-up time each day. Adequate rest will give their body the energy it needs to help keep their heart healthy.

4. Partnership and being a role model

Work with your child’s care team to make the right decisions for your child’s health as they grow. They may require long-term monitoring or more frequent appointments. As always, make sure you are setting a good example by practicing good heart health in your own life.

Chelsea P. Kriesberg is a pediatric cardio-oncology clinic nurse practitioner at the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance.

Be a role model and learn your heart disease risk by taking a free quiz.