Exercise is must for cancer patient’s heart: Study

Washington: Cancer patients, irrespective of their treatment type, must receive a custom exercise prescription to protect their heart, states a study.
“Cancer patients are often less active than adults without cancer,” said author Dr Flavio D’Ascenzi, University of Siena, Italy. “However, exercise is essential for patients diagnosed with cancer who are under treatment, irrespective of the type of treatment.” “Endurance training is more effective for improving cardiovascular performance and reducing inflammation, but resistance training may be a better starting point for frail cancer patients,” explained Dr Flavio D’Ascenzi.
“Other types of exercise, such as inspiratory muscle training, are safe and effective, particularly in those with thoracic cancer; therefore, the specific exercise should be chosen based on individual characteristics,” he continued.
Cardiovascular diseases are common side effects in patients with cancer. This is the result of cardiotoxicity, whereby cancer treatment impairs heart function and structure, or accelerated development of the cardiovascular disease, especially when risk factors such as high blood pressure are present.
Furthermore, cardiovascular diseases and cancer often share the same risk factors. Therefore, cancer patients are advised to eat healthily, quit smoking, control their weight, and exercise. The study published in the ‘European Journal of Preventive Cardiology’ highlighted the importance of an individual exercise plan for each patient, taking into account personal history, cancer treatment, response to exercise, and personal preferences.