Breast Cancer Treatment and Heart Health: Why Blood Pressure Awareness Matters

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important time to discuss screening, treatment, and survivorship. It is also an opportunity to highlight a less familiar part of cancer care: cardiovascular health. Breast cancer treatment and heart health can overlap because some therapies may affect the cardiovascular system, while existing conditions such as high blood pressure may influence overall risk. Not every patient faces the same cardiovascular concerns, which is why monitoring should always be individualized by the oncology and cardiovascular care team.

Why Breast Cancer and Heart Health Can Be Connected

Cardio-oncology is the field focused on cardiovascular health before, during, and after cancer treatment. It recognizes that cancer and cardiovascular disease can share risk factors and that some cancer treatments may affect the heart or blood vessels.

The American College of Cardiology notes that cardiovascular effects associated with breast cancer therapy can include heart dysfunction, coronary artery disease, stroke, blood clots, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and other conditions. Risk varies by treatment type and individual health history.
This does not mean every breast cancer treatment causes cardiovascular problems. It means that personal risk, treatment type, and existing heart-health conditions may influence how a care team approaches monitoring.

Why Blood Pressure Awareness Matters During Cancer Care

Blood pressure is one cardiovascular factor that may require attention during cancer treatment.

An American Heart Association scientific statement explains that some anticancer therapies can contribute to new or worsening hypertension. The statement also emphasizes evaluating and managing cardiovascular risk factors before treatment and using collaborative care when hypertension develops.

The AHA also notes that many anticancer drugs may worsen blood pressure control in people who already have hypertension and that blood pressure management can remain important before, during, and after cancer therapy.

The key distinction is that not all breast cancer treatments raise blood pressure, and monitoring needs depend on the therapy and the patient.

What Cardiovascular Factors May Be Monitored

Depending on the treatment plan and individual risk profile, clinicians may consider several aspects of cardiovascular health.

These may include:

• Blood pressure

• Existing heart disease

• Heart rhythm or symptoms

• Cholesterol

• Blood glucose

• Kidney function

• Treatment-related cardiovascular changes

The American College of Cardiology notes that cardiovascular monitoring during breast cancer care may include tests such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, or biomarkers in selected patients depending on risk and treatment.

Home blood pressure monitoring is only one part of that larger picture. It cannot detect cardiotoxicity by itself.

When Home Blood Pressure Monitoring May Be Useful

If your oncology, primary care, or cardiovascular team recommends home monitoring, consistent blood pressure readings can help provide information between visits.

The 2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline identifies home blood pressure monitoring, when combined with standardized technique and healthcare-team follow-up, as an important tool for blood pressure control.

A practical routine may include:

• Measuring at the times recommended by your care team.

• Sitting quietly before checking.

• Using an appropriately sized upper-arm cuff.

• Recording readings consistently.

• Sharing sustained changes with your clinicians.

An OMRON blood pressure monitor can support clinician-directed home tracking, while connected monitoring through the OMRON Connect app may make trends easier to organize and share.

Symptoms That Should Prompt Medical Attention

Cancer treatment can produce many different symptoms, so your oncology team’s specific instructions should always come first.

Contact your care team promptly about new or worsening symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath

• Significant swelling

• Dizziness or fainting

• Unusual heart palpitations

• Sustained blood pressure changes

Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, new neurological symptoms, or other severe symptoms may require immediate medical care.

Do not use a home blood pressure reading alone to decide whether cancer treatment is safe to continue.

Common Mistakes With Heart Health During Cancer Treatment

• Assuming every cancer treatment affects the heart: Cardiovascular risk varies by therapy.

• Ignoring existing hypertension: Make sure your oncology team knows your BP history.

• Changing medication independently: Coordinate changes with your clinicians.

• Using home monitoring as a diagnostic tool: It provides data, not a diagnosis.

• Reacting to one reading: Follow the thresholds and instructions given by your care team.

• Not sharing home data: Trends can provide useful context at appointments.

Quick Rules for Blood Pressure Awareness During Breast Cancer Care

• Know your baseline blood pressure if your care team recommends it.

• Ask whether home BP monitoring is appropriate for your treatment plan.

• Use consistent, proper measurement technique.

• Track trends rather than isolated numbers.

• Report sustained changes according to clinician guidance.

• Never change cancer or blood pressure medication on your own.

• Seek urgent care for severe symptoms.

Breast cancer care and heart health can overlap, but cardiovascular risk is highly individual. Blood pressure awareness may be one useful part of a broader cardio-oncology plan when recommended by the healthcare team. OMRON home blood pressure monitors can support consistent tracking, while diagnosis, treatment decisions, and cardiovascular risk assessment remain firmly in the hands of clinicians.