Protecting the Heart Before, During and After Cancer Treatment
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, we recognize that successful cancer treatment should not only focus on defeating cancer but also on preserving long-term cardiovascular health.
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What Is Cardio-Oncology?
Cardio-Oncology is the collaboration between cardiology and oncology.
Its primary goals are:
✔️ Assess cardiovascular risk before cancer treatment
✔️ Monitor heart function during treatment
✔️ Prevent chemotherapy-related cardiac complications
✔️ Manage cardiovascular side effects of cancer therapies
✔️ Protect long-term heart health in cancer survivors
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.
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Which Cancer Treatments Can Affect the Heart?
Several modern cancer therapies may affect the cardiovascular system, including:
* Anthracycline chemotherapy (Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, Daunorubicin)
* HER2-targeted therapies
* Radiation therapy
* Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
* Immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors
Potential cardiovascular effects may include:
* Heart muscle weakness
* Heart failure
* Arrhythmias
* High blood pressure
* Coronary artery disease
* Pericardial disease
* Thromboembolic complications
Not every patient develops these complications, but identifying those at increased risk is a key objective of modern Cardio-Oncology.
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Our Approach
At the Dr. Zacharias Kounnis Cardiology Center, we provide a personalized, evidence-based cardiovascular evaluation tailored to each patient’s cancer diagnosis, treatment plan and cardiovascular risk profile.
Our assessment may include:
* Comprehensive cardiovascular consultation
* Electrocardiogram (ECG)
* Advanced Echocardiography
* Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS)
* Cardiac biomarker assessment
* Blood pressure evaluation
* Lipid profile, ApoB and Lipoprotein(a)
* Individual cardiovascular risk stratification
These investigations help identify patients who may benefit from closer surveillance and preventive cardiovascular therapies.
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Statins, Prevention and Modern Cardio-Oncology
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:
* Anti-inflammatory effects
* Antioxidant activity
* Endothelial protection
* Anti-fibrotic properties
* Cardiovascular risk reduction
Recent international studies have strengthened the role of preventive cardiovascular strategies in patients undergoing cancer treatment.
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Dr. Zacharias Kounnis and Cardio-Oncology
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:
✔️ Current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Cardio-Oncology Guidelines
✔️ American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommendations
✔️ Contemporary evidence from major international clinical trials
✔️ Personalized cardiovascular risk assessment
✔️ Preventive cardiology principles
Every patient is evaluated individually, ensuring that recommendations are aligned with the most up-to-date scientific evidence and tailored to the patient’s specific cardiovascular and oncological needs.
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Our Commitment
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.
Dr. Zacharias Kounnis Cardiology Center
Live with your heart.
Prevention • Diagnosis • Therapy
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Expert Cardio-Oncology services in Cyprus. Dr. Zacharias Kounnis provides evidence-based cardiovascular assessment, prevention and monitoring for patients undergoing cancer treatment using the latest ESC and ACC guidelines.