Cardio-Oncology

While cancer treatments can be lifesaving, they can also cause damage to other parts of the body, including the heart. Cardio-oncology, a rapidly evolving specialty, focuses on protecting and treating your heart before, during and after cancer treatment. 

At Atrium Health’s Dowd Foundation Center for Cardio-Oncology, in partnership with Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and Atrium Health Levine Cancer, you’ll find the vital expertise you need to maintain your heart health wherever you are in your cancer journey. 

Why choose us? 

• Nationally recognized care: At Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, our care has repeatedly earned national recognition and is top-rated in the region according to U.S. News & World Report. 
• State-of-the-art imaging: Sanger has advanced imaging capabilities and ranks among the nation’s highest volumes, which means you get quicker access to diagnostic information and prompt treatment decisions.
• Optimized care: To reduce interruptions to your cancer treatment, we arrange for imaging tests and blood draws to coincide with your cardio-oncology appointments, avoiding extra visits and ensuring timely care. Additionally, we help coordinate access to specialized care, including subspecialty referrals and support services like cardiac rehabilitation and hypertension management. 
• Seamless communication across specialties: It’s common to see multiple specialists throughout your cancer treatment. We make certain all your care providers are knowledgeable about how your cancer treatment impacts your heart condition and the most effective strategies to manage it.
• Access to breakthrough clinical trials: We are leaders in the cardio-oncology research and clinical trials space, offering you access to the most advanced treatment options.

What to expect from your appointment

To improve your heart health before, during and after cancer treatment, we provide thorough monitoring and early detection for treatment-related heart issues and proactively prevent and manage any complications.

Here’s what you can expect before, during and after your first cardio-oncology appointment:

• Before your appointment: We ask that you send us your records, including your medical history, test results and images (such as an echocardiogram, chest X-ray or MRI). Please send your records by fax to 704-372-1249. 
• During your appointment: You will meet with a cardio-oncologist who will review your records and medical history, perform a physical exam, discuss your test results, and provide a comprehensive assessment, along with a personalized care plan. 
• After your appointment: Depending on your specific heart condition, you may be scheduled for a follow-up appointment with additional testing. Our program coordinator will reach out to you with specific instructions. We’ll also stay in close contact with your cancer care team to ensure you receive timely and comprehensive care. 

Conditions treated 

Who we treat

• Cancer patients before or during treatment that may harm the heart
• Cancer patients at risk for or diagnosed with heart disease 
• Cancer patients experiencing symptoms or concerns that suggest a pre-existing heart condition 
• Cancer patients facing treatment interruptions due to heart-related issues
• Cancer survivors who may face heart damage or complications from cancer treatment

What we treat

• Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)
• Coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease (narrowing of the arteries)
• Damage to the valves of the heart
• Heart failure (reduced heart pumping strength)
• Hypertension/hypotension (elevated or reduced blood pressure)
• Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)
• Pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart)

Treatments and services

We provide specialized care to minimize heart risks associated with cancer treatments. This may involve close monitoring, early detection and tailored treatments for your specific heart needs.

Our treatments and services include:

• Assessments of: 
  • Heart risks before cancer treatment
  • Heart risks linked to new cancer treatments 
  • Long-term heart risks in cancer survivors 
• Heart evaluations before stem cell transplantation or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
• Cardiovascular prevention addressing shared risk factors for cancer and heart disease 
• Monitoring and treating heart complications during cancer treatment
• Customized imaging plans for patient monitoring and advanced imaging techniques like cardiac MRIs, cardiac CT scans and echocardiograms 
• Treatment for pre-existing heart conditions in cancer patients 
• Treatment for heart conditions during and after cancer treatment
• Heart care for hospitalized cancer patients, including customized care plans for stem cell transplant and immunotherapy patients 
• Tailored heart rehabilitation programs after cancer treatment
• Pediatric cardio-oncology care

Research and innovations

Clinical trials

We conduct a variety of clinical trials to bring you the latest treatment options – which often aren’t available anywhere else in the region. 

Our latest clinical trials include:

• Cardiac MRI imaging registry for cardio-oncology patients
• Cardiac MRI imaging registry for cardiac amyloidosis patients
• Pilot study evaluating supervised cardiac rehabilitation in patients with cardiac amyloidosis

Interested in a clinical trial?

Talk to your doctor or call us at 704-373-0212. You can also find more information on our cardiology research page.

Make a referral 

When you refer a patient to us, we keep you involved and informed throughout the treatment process.

If you’re a potential patient, a self-referral is only necessary if it’s required by your health insurance provider.

If you’re a physician, medical professional or you need to self-refer, please call 704-373-0212.