Young mother experiences AFib during pregnancy
January 28, 2026
At just 26 years old, a Nashville mother receives specialty heart care for women at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Women’s Center during her second pregnancy.
Cardio-oncology care
Ascension Saint Thomas provides advanced heart care before, during and after cancer treatment — helping protect your heart while fighting cancer.
Cardio-oncology care in Middle Tennessee
Ascension Saint Thomas provides advanced heart care before, during and after cancer treatment — helping protect your heart while fighting cancer.
Why choose us
The cardio-oncology program at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart is a regional leader in Middle Tennessee, specializing in the prevention, early detection and treatment of heart conditions related to cancer therapy.
We care for patients before, during and after chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation treatment. Every visit begins with a thoughtful discussion of your cancer treatment plan, symptoms and goals.
Understand your cardiotoxicity
Some cancer treatments like chemotherapies, targeted therapies, immunotherapies and radiation may affect heart function. This is known as cardiotoxicity.
Cardiotoxicity can develop during treatment or even years later. Early detection is critical. With specialized heart monitoring and advanced imaging, we can identify changes early and intervene to protect your long-term heart health.
We work in direct collaboration with your referring oncologist to coordinate imaging, medications and follow-up care. Our goal is to protect your heart health while helping your cancer therapy continue safely whenever possible.
Symptoms of cardiotoxicity
Common symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fluid retention
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
- Unusual fatigue
How we diagnose cardiotoxicity
To help prevent or reduce your risk of cardiotoxicity, your cardiologist may recommend advanced screenings. Our imaging protocols are specifically tailored for oncology patients and are designed to detect heart changes as early as possible.
Blood tests may be used to monitor markers of heart stress or injury before, during and after cancer therapy.
Cardiac CT creates detailed 3-D images of the heart and coronary arteries. It can evaluate coronary artery disease, radiation-associated vascular changes and structural heart conditions. In some cases, contrast dye and heart-rate control medication are used to optimize image quality.
Cardiac MRI provides highly detailed imaging of the heart muscle and surrounding structures. It can detect inflammation (myocarditis), scar tissue, fibrosis and other cancer therapy–related changes. This test is particularly helpful when advanced tissue characterization is needed.
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create moving images of your heart and evaluate pumping function.
In addition to standard imaging, we use Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) analysis to detect subtle changes in heart function before a drop in ejection fraction occurs. Our echocardiography protocol is specifically designed for oncology patients, allowing earlier identification of cardiotoxicity compared to routine heart imaging.
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect abnormal rhythms or signs of heart muscle stress.
Advanced cancer care for your heart
If cardiotoxicity is diagnosed, we create a personalized treatment plan focused on protecting your heart function while supporting your oncology treatment plan.
Conditions we manage include:
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure
- Myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- Structural heart disease related to cancer therapy
We remain in close communication with your oncology team to coordinate care and support continuity of treatment.
How to get care
If you are undergoing cancer treatment, ask your oncologist about a referral to our cardio-oncology program. We welcome patients across Middle Tennessee and provide clinic access at Ascension Saint Thomas West, Midtown and Rutherford.
Dr. S. Ryan Raissi sees patients at Ascension Saint Thomas West, Midtown and Rutherford. Clinic visits alternate every other week between Saint Thomas West and Saint Thomas Midtown to provide convenient access for patients across the region.
Get a second opinion
If you are facing a new diagnosis or making decisions about heart care during cancer treatment, a second opinion can provide reassurance and clarity.
Our cardio-oncology specialist can review your medical records and imaging studies and offer personalized recommendations. As part of Ascension’s national heart care network, we can also connect you with additional specialists when appropriate.
Refer your patient to Ascension Saint Thomas Heart
Our cardio-oncology program serves as a regional referral center for Middle Tennessee. We collaborate directly with referring oncologists to protect heart health and help patients continue cancer therapy safely whenever possible.
To refer a patient, please call 615-284-2025.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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