Ascension Seton Cardio-Oncology
Cardio Oncology is a team-based program where physicians who specialize in cancer care and heart care work together with patients at any stage of their treatment journey. The Ascension Seton Cardio-Oncology service provides specialized heart care to cancer patients and survivors. Cancer patients undergo many different treatments aiming to eradicate cancer cells allowing patients to beat their disease. However, these therapies can also damage other areas within the body, including the heart; Cancer itself could also increase the risk of heart disease significantly and heart disease has been the most common cause of non-cancer deaths in cancer survivors in the United States. Our highly experienced Ascension Texas Cardiovascular cardiologists have partnered with oncologists in the area to provide cancer patients and survivors the comprehensive treatment needed to ensure their heart is healthy during and after cancer treatment. View brochure for more information about Ascension Texas Cardiovascular cardio-oncology.
Our Goals
- Ensure better overall outcomes for patients with cancer and cardiac issues.
- Provide earlier detection of cardiac toxic side effects from cancer treatment.
- Prevent or reduce further cardiac damage — and when possible — reverse it.
- Monitor patients with cardiac issues who are receiving cancer treatments.
- Eliminate cardiac disease as a barrier to effective cancer therapy.
- Support Oncologists in maximizing potentially life-saving cancer therapies and achieving the best outcome in cancer patients.
When to be Evaluated
You should be evaluated by cardio-oncology specialists if you have:
History of receiving or going to receive a treatment drug toxic to the heart
Any concerning heart symptoms before, during or after chemotherapy
A history of cardiac disease, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart failure and etc.
More than one cardiac disease risk factors such as:
- Family history of heart disease
- Age above 60
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet
After seeing your oncologist and designing a personalized treatment plan with cancer therapies, our cardio-oncologists who understand these issues will be able to guide strategies to monitor for heart problems during and after cancer treatment by working closely with your cancer doctor. If you are having symptoms that you think could involve your heart, talk to your cancer doctor or primary care doctor right away. Make sure to learn about what side effects can be caused by your cancer treatment. That way you can help to inform your health care team.
Questions to ask your current providers:
- Am I receiving any cancer treatment that could affect my heart either now or in the future?
- What are my risk factors for developing cardiac side effects from treatment?
- Do I need to see a cardiologist during or after cancer treatment?
- If my cancer treatment could damage my heart, how will my heart be monitored during cancer treatment?
For more information or if you are interested in scheduling an appointment in one of our Cardio-Oncology Clinic locations, please call 512-324-2708 or 512-324-3440.
If you are interested in supporting cardio-oncology patients in Central Texas, you can contact Becky Fox, Senior Director of Development at the Seton Fund, at 512-324-4091 or bfox1@ascension.org.
