Effects on your heart

I had mastectomy as well and when the subject of radiation came up the radiographer decided it would cause more harm than good in my particular case so we just did chemo.

@Elvena i guess you need the discussion with the radiation specialist.  I chose mastectomy specifically to avoid radiotherapathy. My tumour was not close to the chest wall though. If the radiologist has concerns he will consult with your cardiologist.

I have existing dilated cardiomyopathy 
 I'm scared to have radiotherapy now after lumpectomy, small breasts  and tumour location in front of heart!   
margins close- treatment decision is hard 
any views?

Thanks for the reply.  I am home about to have second infusion.   Everyone is aware of the problem and I have medication, so fingers crossed.

If you are still in hospital @eewart, at least your heart will be monitored. My arrhythmia (I have had no fast heartbeat in years) is very treatable but soonest identified, most options for treatment. 

I had a reaction after my second of four infusions. It felt like someone hit me in the chest with a sledgehammer. They turned off the infusion, pumped me full of more drugs and then continued it. No one checked my heart for damage but about 4 months afterwards I got SVT and then AF while on Letrozole. The last doctor said I now have two heart beat triggers. It is very annoying. I take tabs to regulate but it doesn't make it perfect.

I did get AF but more than four months in (so had completed A/C and was on Taxol). Lots of discussion back and forth about what ‘caused’ it, but I am satisfied it was a combination of things - age, slightly high blood pressure,  surgery and chemo. But an incidence after only one infusion sounds rather different. Chances are it will settle and it’s a one off, the chest infection probably didn’t help. But may need careful monitoring for your next infusion, just to be on the safe side. Best wishes. 

@Brenda5  .... you may help here?

It hasn’t happened to me, but i have One friend who ended up with a heart condition that was caused by her regime of chemo .... but it took some years to ‘show up’.  

What treatment are you on?  I put up a post about this subject a while back .... tho it depends on your treatment.  Just be aware that chemo CAN affect the heart.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19592/cardiomyopathy-and-chemo-a-serious-condition-to-be-aware-of/p1

Take care and all the best fo4 your ongoing treatment.  xxx