Protecting the Heart During Radiation

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gardengypsy
gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
edited April 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

For those who habe had or will have radiation treatment on your left side. What measures were taken to protect your heart during radiation!

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  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited April 2016

    Have you had or will you have radiation treatment on your left side? If so, what measures were taken to protect your heart?

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  • snorkeler
    snorkeler Member Posts: 145
    edited April 2016

    Active breathing control/gated breathing: Before each zap of radiation, I had to inhale deeply to expand my chest to a certain level. When the chest expands, the heart is farther away from the radiated area.

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited April 2016

    I had radiation in a prone position.

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited April 2016

    Are you eligible for brachytherapy? This catheter delivered radiation is more heart friendly. Ask your radiation oncologist.

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  • SissyK
    SissyK Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2016

    Before I started treatment, I was assured that today's radiation does not affect the heart or lungs, and do not remember any special steps taken to protect them during treatments.  I just had my last appointment (5 years from treatment) with RO and asked what long-term side effects I needed to be on the lookout for going forward - specifically heart issues and lung issues.  He told me what I remembered from our earlier talks - that current treatments are not like the ones from many years ago and that I didn't need to be particularly watchful for heart/lung issues due to radiation.  He did say that there is a very small percentage of patients who will develop a specific type of lung cancer 20 to 25 years out from treatment. No way to foretell who that will be or why certain folks develop it. 

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  • xcancer
    xcancer Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2016

    Hi,


    Ubiquinol ( Co-Q10) might be a something to look into. It is the number one nutrient for heart health. Research it and see if its a right fit for you. I take it every day.


    Hope that helps

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