heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

hello everyone, i just got the guts to join.. diagnosed march 2016,mastectomy April, then 6 infusions tch.. i did ok . depleted but holding my own..then i took two more doses of herceptin , supposed to continue until July 2017 but Dec 19th, on my BIRTHDAY i had mild heart attack!!!.
now i am conflicted whether to continue more herceptin ( the cardio gave the green light, my onc is worried).. I AM WORRIED..
doctors say that the "usual" heart issue from herceptin is congestive heart failure which they watch with the (what is it called? sonogram ?)
so my heart attack is unusual as a side effect.. the angiogram showed no heart disease, blocks or cholesterol in arteries..so that's good.. so why would i have a heart attack?? seems logical its from the hercpetin...
any thoughts or facts??
have any of you long term survivors only taken 6 months of herceptin?? has anyone had a heart attack after or around chemo??
thanks

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

Oh I am so sorry this happened to you. I don't have any facts or other info about Herceptin, hopefully someone else will see this and post.

I can certainly understand why you would be worried! Again, I am so sorry.

Carol Ann

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

Welcome to the group. I'm sorry to hear you've had a heart attack. I really don't know enough to input. Your cardiologist knows about your heart and is aware of the medications you are on. Your oncologist likely is being ultra cautious. The best you could do is ask for a referral to a cardiac oncologist, someone who deals specifically and solely with cancer patients and heart issues. I have one and she has put me on some cardioprotective medications because I will be on Herceptin for a long, long, long time.

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

thank you for that..

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

I seem to recall that there were studies done in Europe where Herceptin was given for 3, 6 and 9 month periods. If memory serves 6months was found to be as effective as 12. However, I do not know how the lesser time period stacked up long term. Google it. If true, then perhaps you will feel it wise to stop at 6months for the sake of your cardiac function.

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

i will ..thanks

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

It happened to me three weeks after my first and only infusion of Herceptin, on the day I was supposed to get my 2nd! You're right - it isn't like a "regular" heart attack when arteries are blocked and they have to use stents or surgery to provide a blood supply to the heart muscle. Instead, the left ventricle dilates and can't contract well. Google "Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy". The illustrations will show what happens to the LV. I can tell you what happens to a cardiologist's face when he realizes you're having this attack in his office......and it made me want to laugh and cry at the same time! I smiled, knowing that he truly cares and was extremely worried about me, but I saved my tears for later, knowing that this might limit my treatment options. The cardiac drugs like carvedilol and metoprolol which regulate heartbeat can help enormously. I have been told to rest for two weeks then we will all re-evaluate. I've read that we are allowed to have three of these "incidents" before we are pulled off Herceptin for good. I hope you do very well and can continue your treatments. Having had it happen so early in my treatment regimen is extremely worrisome, but I want to get as much Herceptin as I can. I'm so sorry you went through this too. I hope you can finish your regimen!

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

thank you for your info.. i am back on herceptin and trying to stay calm (:

Re: heart attack after chemo into hercetin only
 

When I was on Herceptin for 6 years, it was the left ventrical that concerned them and mine stayed good. However about 10 years after I stopped Herceptin I had a heart attack. It was due to the radiation I received and not Herceptin. Could this be what happened in your case or not?

If you ever have any chest pain, go to the emergency dept. immediately, better to be safe than sorry.
I carry (given by my cardiologist Natispray which is hydro-glycerine) and 2 aspirins in case of chest pains - not to be over used. Maybe ask your cardiologist if these might be helpful in case of a problem. The aspirin is to chew immediately upon having pain.

I am sure your cardiologist has you on some medicine which probably includes something like Kardegic, a powder aspirin.
I did have a stent put in. No big deal. I'd rather have a heart issue than cancer but that's me.
Hopefully your heart attack didn't destroy any heart muscle.

Glad you can go back on Herceptin - the miracle drug and because of that, you'll be having regular sonograms for the heart anyway and that's good.

hugs and love
sarah