Left-sided breast radiation does carry a notably higher risk for heart-related complications compared to right-sided treatment, simply because the heart sits closer to the left side of the chest.
Research has shown that among women 55 and under, about 10.5% of those who received left-sided radiation developed coronary artery Show Full Answer
Left-sided breast radiation does carry a notably higher risk for heart-related complications compared to right-sided treatment, simply because the heart sits closer to the left side of the chest.
Research has shown that among women 55 and under, about 10.5% of those who received left-sided radiation developed coronary artery disease (CAD), compared to only 5.8% for right-sided radiation. That's roughly double the risk. Heart complications can be short-term or long-term. Here's what to watch for:
Short-term:
- Chest pain behind the breastbone
- Pain in the left shoulder, back, or neck
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart palpitations
Long-term (may develop years later):
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Irregular heartbeat
- Valvular heart disease
The good news is that techniques like deep-inspiration breath hold (DIBH) — where you take and hold a deep breath during radiation — can help reduce the heart's exposure to radiation. It's worth asking your care team if this is an option for you. Risk factors that can further increase heart complications include a history of heart disease, high cholesterol, smoking, and certain chemotherapy drugs. Regular heart monitoring after treatment is really important, so be sure to flag any new or unusual chest symptoms to your oncologist right away.
October 2
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