How to Control Your Blood Pressure During Cancer Treatment?

High Blood Pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition that can harm the arteries, heart and other organs in the body. It is very common for cancer patients to have a high blood pressure because few cancer treatments, including certain types of chemotherapy, hormone and targeted therapy, may have side effects on the cardiac system.  

if left untreated, hypertension may lead to a heart attack, heart failure, heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and peripheral arterial disease, among the other health problems. However, while patients with high blood pressure are not considered at high risk from COVID-19, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out the several patients with high blood pressure have other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and heart conditions, that do put them at a higher risk. The CDC recommends that patients with hypertension stick to their medication and treatment regimens.

How Does Hypertension Affect the Heart & Body?

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure affects the heart by injuring the walls of the arteries. The force on the arteries is so impeccable, it creates small tears in the artery walls. Plaque then gets trapped in the tears, building up in the arteries and avoiding the normal flow of the blood heart, kidneys, brains, legs and arms.

However, natural aging, your arteries harden and become less elastic. Uncontrolled high blood pressure speeds up this progression, accelerating hardening of the arteries. Damaged arteries cannot deliver enough blood flow to body’s organs. As a result, these ‘damaged’ organs suffer because they do not receive adequate blood supply. This also may lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening illnesses.

Dealing with High Blood Pressure and Cancer

Hypertension is a common side effect of cancer treatment, specifically chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Some hormone therapies may also cause high blood pressure.

Researchers are studying the effects of several cancer medications on the heart of the cardiac system to determine why they raise blood pressure. Scientists at Duke University Medical Center propose that angiogenesis inhibitors may cause patient’s hypertension to prickle because the drugs block the growth of new blood vessels, tumbling the level of nitric oxide, that assists regulate blood vessel health.

Few chemotherapy medicines may also interact with heart medications. Oncologists need to be carefully considered medications patients are receiving for hypertension when opting and planning for cancer treatment to avoid possible drug interactions. If a patient has a severe reaction to medications while they are receiving a chemotherapy infusion, treatment will need to be stopped instantaneously.   

Also, if hypertension is adversely managed, patients’ hearts may not function normally. They may scuffle with the physical effects of cancer treatment and have to prevent treatment. It is significant to get your blood pressure checked regularly and to know the signs of high blood pressure: extreme headache, fatigue or confusion, vision problems, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, blood in the urine and pounding in ears, nose or chest. Some patients may not feel any ill effects from hypertension, which is why it is sometimes referred the “silent killer”.  

Patients who suffer high blood pressure and cancer need to:

• Communicate their medical advisors about their medical history
• Be diligent about checkups and regular hypertension testing
• Ask their medical advisors adequate questions to make sure they comprehensively understand the diseases, as well as the treatments
• You should go screening tests to assist doctors monitor for heart diseases and other issues
• Take steps to enhance their overall health and manage their blood pressure.

Top Tips to Assist Manage your Blood Pressure

• Having a healthier lifestyle may assist to prevent hypertension. Below-mentioned are some top tips to have a control on your blood pressure:
• Know your blood pressure and endeavour to keep it in normal range. Commonly, a “normal” blood pressure rate is 120/80
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day, six days a week. Exercising is recommended who are able.
• Eat healthy and watch added sugars in the diet. Sugar, in particularly, carbohydrates, cause insulin to be released, and insulin and other than being a potent growth factor, may enhance hypertension through several mechanisms including growth renal sodium reabsorption, activation of the sympathetic nervous system, modification of transmembrane ion transport, and hypertrophy of resistance vessels. If you are insulin resistant due to obesity, or metabolic syndrome, discuss this with your PCP to find ways to develop this.   
• Lessen the amount of salt/ sodium in your diet. Sodium may enhance hypertension, so restricting or reducing the amount you take in may be assisting.  
• Limit alcohol consumption or cut it out completely
• Limit excess caffeine intake
• You should smoke quit
• Lessen stress, try meditation, guided imagery or other relaxation techniques
• Take drugs your medical advisor prescribes to assist hypertension pressure as directed
• Make sure your main care physician and oncologist regularly for check-ups
• Check your blood pressure frequently. Ask your doctor how often you should test your blood pressure and ensure to follow that schedule.