It is very important for MPN patients to maintain good cardiovascular health and keep cholesterol under control.
Cardiovascular health in patients with MPNs
This VIDEO PRESENTATION from US cardiologist Dr Stephanie Feldman was given specifically for MPN patients.
Dr Feldman provides an excellent overview of the importance of good cardiovascular health for MPN patients. It is available courtesy of the CR&T conference in October 2024 in the US.
In her presentation, Dr Feldman explains that ‘patients with cancer are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This is because of shared risk factors (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking), factors related to the cancer itself, and factors related to side effects of cancer treatment.’
She provides a cardiology 101 overview, explaining that ‘Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is abnormalities of the heart and blood vessel system. If we think about the heart as having 3 major components: plumbing, pump, and electricity, then when we think about cardiovascular disease we can think about this as plumbing problems (coronary artery disease, heart attacks), pump problems (congestive heart failure, valve problems, high blood pressure going to the lungs aka pulmonary hypertension), and electricity problems (arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, heart block).’
‘Like other patients with cancer, patients with MPN are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Patients with MPN are at risk for plumbing (heart attack), pump (stiff/weak heart, congestive heart failure), and electricity problems (arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation). As a patient living with MPN this information is not meant to scare you, but instead to empower you to work with your care team to get the best possible treatment for your MPN while minimizing the short and long term risks to your heart. In order to protect your heart and prevent cardiovascular disease just follow the ABCDEs.’
‘A= Awareness- it is important for you and your providers to be aware of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and be on the lookout for symptoms such as chest pain, leg swelling, shortness of breath.
B= Blood pressure– Goal is less than 130/80. Know your numbers! If above goal follow a low salt diet, decrease alcohol, increase exercise, and talk to your doctor about medication.
C= Cholesterol- Goal is bad cholesterol (LDL) less than 100, lower if you have evidence of plaque on your heart arteries or have had a heart attack. This level should be checked once per year. Eat foods like avocado, olive oil, oatmeal to lower the LDL and talk to your doctor about medication like a statin if you are not at goal.
D= Diabetes– check bloodwork to screen for this at least once per year and make sure your average blood sugar over 3 months (hemoglobin A1c) is at your goal
E= Exercise! Goal is to work slowly up to 150 minutes of exercise per week (listening to your body) and 2 days of light weights.’ (NB. This must be done with the agreement of your doctor).
The above is just an excerpt from her excellent presentation which we hope all MPN patients can find the time to watch.
Inflammation and MPN patients
Part of managing cardiovascular health is also being aware of the fact that MPNs are very inflammatory.
This brilliant presentation by Danish MPN specialist, Dr Hans Hasselbalch at that same CR&T patient conference is equally informative, inspiring and hope giving for us all.
Image: Canberra MPN walking group meets weekly, trying to follow advice of Drs Feldman and Hasselbalch!
And a paper on cardiovascular issues for MPN patients
A detailed 2023 article from Italian haematologists outlined a number of cardiovascular issues for PV patients. Titled Diagnosis and management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with polycythemia vera, it explains that modifying the cardiovascular risk profile in PV patients includes lifestyle modifications and pharmaceutical management of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemias (Dyslipidemia is elevation of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, or both, or a low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL level).
Australian Heart Foundation information about improving cardiovascular health
The Australian Heart Foundation has information at the links below about what is important for good cardiovascular health:
Are you at risk of heart disease?
The Australian Heart Foundation has further patient information available in several languages. The full selection can be accessed HERE.
