LVEF is dropping; anything I can do?

stephincanada
stephincanada Member Posts: 228
edited February 2017 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Good morning all,

I found out yesterday that my LVEF has dropped from 59 to 51 since starting Herceptin. I have started on an beta blocker and ACE inhibitor, but was wondering if anyone's doctor has recommended lifestyle changes to raise LVEF? I have heard that exercise is beneficial. Anything else like losing weight or taking coenzyme cq 10? I've got to stay on Herceptin for nine more months!

Thank you

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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 5,088
    edited December 2016

    The only thing I do is exercise. Either stationary bike or walking is all. My LVEF has stayed the same for 20 Herceptins so far. I am unsure about CoQ10, check with onc about that.

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  • Hernie
    Hernie Member Posts: 1,016
    edited December 2016

    I am on Kadcyla. My cardiologist added NT-BNP to my routine blood tests. It can detect heart damage before the heart function declines. Once the damage is done, it is irreversible so it is important to catch it as soon as possible.

    My family doctor was not aware of this test. Anyone on HER2 therapy should ask their cardiologist about it

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  • tessu
    tessu Member Posts: 1,564
    edited December 2016

    Hernie, I was told congestive heart failure (dropping systolic ejection fraction) from Herceptin DOES reverse in about 80% after Herceptin is stopped. My ejection fraction started out low normal (about 55%) but just stayed there through chemo and all 17 doses of Herceptin. I was on a beta blocker because of arrhythmias (very low dose because they dropped my alreadylow blood pressure) but was able to stop it a month after my last Herceptin dose. The cardiologist recommended regular exercise (at least brisk walking).

    Stephincanada I hope your heart stabilizes. Good luck with the rest of your Herceptin course

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  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited December 2016

    Thanks for your responses, Mara, Hernie and Tessu. And Tessu, I appreciate the reassurance that my LVEF may go back up. That is a relief. Just got off the treadmill. Am going to do everything I can to whip my heart into shape!


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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited December 2016

    I do believe thathat chemo/herceptin induced cardiomyapothy can reverse. my cardiologist said that Coq 10 is not necessary. exercise and a Mediterranean diet. and a betablocker.

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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 5,088
    edited December 2016

    To further Jen's point about reversal of damage. It is possible to reverse it by stopping the Herceptin (temporarily) and then reinstate it once the heart has recovered some. Hopefully, the exercise should be enough to keep LVEF from falling too low, good diet never hurts either.

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  • MaineRottweilers
    MaineRottweilers Member Posts: 156
    edited December 2016

    My cardiologist just put me on Carvedilol and Lisinopril.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2016

    My MO ordered echocardiograms every 8-12 weeks to monitor, but never put me on any meds. My LVEF went from 60-65% to 55-59%. It has reversed entirely after completing Herceptin.

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  • CyndiNic
    CyndiNic Member Posts: 59
    edited December 2016

    I ended up stopping (after consulting with my MO and getting a second opinion at Dana Farber) Herceptin after 11 infusions. Exercise as well as lisinopril was the recommendation to reverse the damage and it worked. I was a little apprehensive about not finishing the entire treatment but trusted in the doctors expertise

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  • sfar
    sfar Member Posts: 32
    edited February 2017

    I have been getting Herceptin since the end of last April and was planning on doing a full year, but unfortunately my LVEF continues to drop. When I started it was 50-55% (low normal). In October it went to 50%...January 45%. My doctor postponed Herceptin for 6 weeks during which time a cardiologist put me on a Beta Blocker. I returned to my oncologist for Herceptin yesterday and found out my LVEF had dropped to 40-45%. She is having me wait and come back in another 6 weeks. Is there really any hope that my numbers will come back by then? I'm discouraged and nervous. Anyone have experience with this?

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  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited February 2017

    Hi sfar,

    My cardiologist put me on a beta blocker and an ACE inhibitor. He told me to exercise as often and as hard as I can to strengthen the heart. I have been doing so, but it is, at times, quite tough (I feel tired the first week after Herceptin, and Perjeta caused extreme muscle fatigue/pain). But I push through and try and get my heart rate up as much as possible on the treadmill. I have also taken up swimming (the one perk of losing your hair is that swimming is now hassle free, hair wise). My LVEF dropped from 59 to 51, a 9% decrease. At my last echocardiogram, my LVEF was back up to 58/59. The good results inspire me to keep up the exercise.

    Stephanie


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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 5,088
    edited February 2017

    Glad to hear it Stephanie. Exercise still helps me, after more than 20 Herceptins, my last LVEF measured 60 to 65 percent. Since I will get Herceptin until I progress, I want to stay that way. I use Leslie Sansone walking vids. I do sevaral a day since I like shorter bursts of exercise. Good luck.

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  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited February 2017

    Thank you for the encouragement, Mara! I follow you, Zarovka and others on the Stage V MBC Fitness thread and it is a huge inspiration for me. You ladies personify strength and support,and set an example for us all! I will try a Leslie Sansone video because I am having trouble finding something appealing on Netflix.

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  • Shayes
    Shayes Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2017

    Thefirst time mine dropped, my herceptin was put on hold and my LVEF went back up straight away so my Herceptin treatment was restarted. my LVEF dropped down to 50% again about 7 months ago and even though my Herceptin was put on hold again my LVEF has not gone back up and is still sitting at 50% I now have a boarder line abnormality and am on heart meds. The Herceptin treatment was restarted with a very close eye on the situation as they did not feel it was a good idea to cancel my Herceptin altogether

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