aromatase inhibitors side effects on heart rhythm

I had a PM implanted in 2013

In 2017 I had breast cancer and had radiation and was perscribed aromatase inhibitors.

I am now having new and disturbing ventricle contractions multible times a day (have a ZIO monitor on at the moment and will be sending it in tomorrow)

Its odd that neither my oncologist nor my cardiologist sees a link between the side effects of the inhibitor and heart issues, as I have just googled information from 3 different sites that link the two. Now I am afraid the adjunct therapy is further damaging my not normal heart. (I am 57)

Any experience/opinions/advice? THANK YOU!

2 Comments

Heart issues after treatment for breast cancer

by Flo - 2019-06-04 11:53:31

I have read posts and comments on the breastcancer.org forum stating heart issues after starting aromatase inhibitors. My heart issues started three weeks after the 33 radiation treatments to the left side, 9 o'clock position along with radiation pneumonitis.  I have also read posts and comments relating to the radiation therapy and heart issues.  My best to you.

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by Gotrhythm - 2019-06-04 14:27:00

I sometimes think whether a doctor will discuss side effects depends largely on which will kill you first, the disease or the drug? and if they have an alternative drug to give.

And that's really what you need to discuss with your doctors. Should you keep taking the inhibitor? Is there a drug that would be just as effective for the cancer but not cause heart issues? If the cancer is successfully treated, can the heart issues be treated or reversed?

It's important for us a patients to know what our goals for treatment are, and to be clear with our doctors about our goals. I think the older you get the more important it is. 

I'm 76. Living longer is no longer a treatment goal for me. I'm only interested in treatment that allows me to do more of what I want to do. So I take an nsaid knowing it increases my already increased chance (due to my age) of a heart attack, because is life is much more enjoyable if I'm not in pain.

But you're 57. I expect that you see things differently. I expect that you'd accept a good deal of discomfort, and more unpleasant or undesirable consequences of treatment, in order to live longer.

So be clear about your goals for treatment, and talk them over with your doctor. If your doctor won't talk about these things, find one who will. It's your life. 

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