Heart monitoring and protection before, during and after cancer treatment, following current ESC cardio-oncology guidelines.
Modern cancer treatments have dramatically improved survival and quality of life for millions of patients worldwide. However, some cancer therapies can affect the heart and blood vessels, making cardiovascular care an essential part of comprehensive cancer management.
Cardio-oncology is a rapidly evolving medical specialty dedicated to preventing, detecting, monitoring and treating cardiovascular complications associated with cancer and its therapies. At the Dr Zacharias Kounnis Cardiology Center in Limassol, we recognise that successful cancer treatment should not only focus on defeating cancer but also on preserving long-term cardiovascular health.
Cardio-oncology is the collaboration between cardiology and oncology. Its primary goals are to:
As cancer survival continues to improve, cardiovascular disease has become one of the leading non-cancer causes of illness and mortality among cancer survivors. Early cardiovascular assessment and preventive strategies are therefore becoming increasingly important. Read more in our article What is cardio-oncology? and in how chemotherapy can affect the heart.
Several modern cancer therapies may affect the cardiovascular system, including:
Potential cardiovascular effects may include:
Not every patient develops these complications, but identifying those at increased risk is a key objective of modern cardio-oncology.
We provide a personalised, evidence-based cardiovascular evaluation tailored to each patient’s cancer diagnosis, treatment plan and cardiovascular risk profile. Our assessment may include:
These investigations help identify patients who may benefit from closer surveillance and preventive cardiovascular therapies.
One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the growing evidence that statins may help protect the heart in selected cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic therapies. Modern research suggests that statins may offer benefits beyond cholesterol reduction through:
Recent international studies have strengthened the role of preventive cardiovascular strategies in patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Dr Zacharias Kounnis maintains a strong professional interest in the rapidly evolving field of cardio-oncology and continuously follows the latest scientific developments, clinical trials and international guideline recommendations. His approach is based on:
Every patient is evaluated individually, so that recommendations are aligned with the most up-to-date scientific evidence and tailored to the patient’s specific cardiovascular and oncological needs.
Cancer treatment and cardiovascular protection should go hand in hand. Our mission is to help patients receive the most effective cancer therapies while preserving heart function, reducing cardiovascular risk and maintaining long-term quality of life. The future of cancer care is not only about survival. It is about surviving with a healthy heart.
It is often recommended, especially before anthracycline chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy or radiotherapy to the chest, and for people who already have heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes. A baseline assessment makes it easier to detect any change later.
It depends on the type of treatment and your individual risk. Monitoring usually combines ECG, echocardiography and blood markers at planned intervals, coordinated with your oncology team.
Often, yes. Detecting early changes allows heart-protective medication to be started and treatment plans to be discussed with your oncologist, which can limit damage and support recovery of heart function.
Survivors who received anthracyclines or chest radiotherapy can have an increased risk of heart problems many years later. A periodic cardiovascular review is a sensible part of long-term follow-up.
Yes. Cardio-oncology is a collaboration, and we aim to support your cancer treatment by keeping your heart as safe as possible, in coordination with your treating doctors.
Live with your heart. Prevention, diagnosis and therapy. To book an appointment with Dr Zacharias Kounnis, call +357 25 389696 or contact our cardiology centre in Limassol.
This page provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have severe chest pain, sudden breathlessness or fainting, call 112 immediately.