Cardiovascular Disease Risk Elevated in Cancer Survivors, Especially Young and Male Patients: Global Study Finds
China: A comprehensive global study published in eClinicalMedicine highlights a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among cancer survivors compared to individuals without a history of cancer. The research, led by Qian Li from the Institute of Haematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, analyzed data from over 49 million participants, making it the most extensive analysis of its kind to date.
The global meta-analysis revealed that cancer survivors face a 47% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to non-cancer individuals. The increased risk spanned 17 CVD subtypes, peaking for thrombophlebitis (HR 3.07) and lowest for ischemic heart disease (HR 1.13). The highest CVD burden was observed among survivors of brain, hematological, respiratory, male genital, and breast cancers, with younger and male survivors at greatest risk.
The meta-analysis incorporated 160 population-based cohort studies conducted between January 1990 and February 2025, including more than 9 million cancer survivors and 40 million non-cancer controls. Researchers assessed the overall CVD risk as well as the risk associated with 17 specific cardiovascular subtypes, ranging from ischemic heart disease to venous thromboembolism.
The study revealed the following findings:
- Cancer survivors had a 47% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to non-cancer individuals (HR 1.47).
- The highest increased risk was observed for venous embolism, thrombosis, or thrombophlebitis (HR 3.07).
- The lowest increased risk was noted for ischemic heart disease (HR 1.13).
- Brain, hematological, respiratory, male genital, and breast cancer survivors had a consistently higher incidence of cardiovascular disease.
- Some cancer types did not show a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular risk.
- The findings remained consistent across different study designs, sexes, ages at cancer diagnosis, geographic regions, follow-up durations, diagnostic methods, and treatment types.
- Male cancer survivors had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to females.
- Younger cancer survivors were more likely to experience cardiovascular conditions than older survivors.
The study addresses a significant gap in the existing literature. While earlier research had explored the relationship between specific cancers and cardiovascular events like stroke or heart failure, this is the first large-scale meta-analysis to systematically assess the broader link between cancer survivorship and the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases.
The authors emphasize the public health relevance of their findings, noting the pressing need for integrating cardiovascular risk evaluation into long-term care strategies for cancer survivors. They advocate for updated clinical guidelines that reflect the vulnerability of specific subgroups to cardiovascular complications.
The authors concluded, "The study sheds light on a critical and often overlooked aspect of cancer survivorship. As survival rates improve due to advances in cancer therapy, addressing long-term cardiovascular health becomes paramount. This evidence highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in survivorship care, ensuring that cancer survivors not only live longer but also maintain better overall health."
Reference:
Li, Q., Zhang, G., Li, X., Xu, S., Wang, H., Deng, J., Cheng, Z., Fan, F., Chen, S., Yang, M., Tang, L. V., & Hu, Y. (2025). Risk of cardiovascular disease among cancer survivors: Systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine, 84, 103274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103274
