Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 5: People living with cancer face a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases, according to new research that highlights the complex links between cancer, inflammation and blood clotting processes.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggests that changes in proteins related to inflammation and coagulation may play a key role in raising cardiovascular mortality among cancer patients. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences said the findings underscore the importance of closely monitoring heart-related risks in this population.

“Our analysis shows that cardiovascular deaths are elevated among patients with cancer,” the research team noted. They emphasised that particular attention should be given to younger patients and those diagnosed at an early stage of cancer.

The researchers recommended that clinical care for cancer patients should go beyond tumour treatment alone. “Management of endocrine, kidney and inflammation-related risk factors should be prioritised to reduce cardiovascular mortality,” the team said.

While earlier studies have established a connection between cancer and heart disease, the biological mechanisms behind this relationship have remained poorly understood. The new research sought to bridge that gap by examining both genetic and protein-level factors.

The study analysed data from nearly 380,000 participants who had no cardiovascular disease at the start of the research, including more than 65,000 individuals diagnosed with cancer. Advanced techniques such as genome-wide association studies, phenome-wide association studies and proteomic analysis were used to explore shared pathways between cancer and cardiovascular conditions.

Results showed that cancer and cardiovascular disease share relatively few genetic links, with limited overlap seen in conditions like high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders. However, the researchers identified nine independent risk factors strongly associated with cardiovascular death, including age, sex, smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar levels (HbA1c), kidney function (cystatin C) and neutrophil count.

The study also found that survival rates from cardiovascular disease were similar in people with and without cancer during the first decade of follow-up. Beyond 10 years, however, survival declined more sharply among cancer patients.

This later decline may be linked to long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, including changes in inflammation levels and blood clotting mechanisms, the researchers said.

The findings highlight the need for integrated care strategies that address both cancer and long-term cardiovascular health, particularly as cancer survival rates continue to improve.