Ways to keep your heart healthy

Changing some daily habits can help to improve your heart health. Starting healthier habits before cancer treatment (prehabilitation) and continuing them during and after treatment (rehabilitation), may help your recovery. Some changes can also help to prevent the cancer coming back. If your general practitioner (GP) refers you to see an allied health professional (e.g. exercise physiologist, dietitian), you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for some visits.

Sit less and be physically active

Spending too much time sitting can increase your risk of heart problems. Including regular movement and exercise in your daily or weekly routine is one of the most important changes you can make to lower your heart disease risk. It can also reduce cancer risk. It’s recommended that people with cancer work towards, then maintain, at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes (1¼ hours) of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise every week.

Aerobic exercise includes activities such as brisk walking or bike riding. Also, doing 2–3 strength-training (resistance exercise) sessions a week can build muscle strength. Even small increases in your activity levels can be good for your health.

For more information, see Exercise for people living with cancer.

Quit smoking and vaping

If you smoke or vape, it’s important to quit. Exposure to tobacco smoke can cause your blood vessels to become stiff and more likely to split.

This can lead to angina, heart attack or stroke. Smoking also increases the risk of developing many types of cancer. It’s also important to avoid second-hand smoke and to stop vaping (e-cigarettes), which can harm your heart as well. For support, call Quitline on 13 7848 or talk to your GP.

Maintain a healthy body weight

Carrying extra body weight can cause fatty material to build up in your blood vessels (atherosclerosis). This increases the risk of heart problems and stroke. While some people lose weight during cancer treatment, others gain weight due to side effects of some medicines. Talk to your cancer treatment team or GP about healthy eating and staying active to help manage your weight.

Drink less alcohol

Alcohol does not protect the heart, and drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer. It’s important not to drink too much alcohol both for your heart health and to reduce the risk of some cancers (including breast, bowel, liver, mouth and stomach cancers).

If you choose to drink, follow the Australian Government's alcohol guidelines and limit alcohol use. If you do not drink alcohol, you should not start.

Eat a healthy diet

Eat a balanced diet from the 5 food groups – vegetables, fruit and legumes, breads and cereals, meat (and alternatives) and dairy (and alternatives). Limit foods containing saturated fat, added salt and added sugars, and avoid sugary drinks. Your doctor may suggest you see a dietitian to help you with your diet.

For more information, see Nutrition for people living with cancer.

Take your medicine

If you take heart medicines (for blood pressure or cholesterol) or diabetes medicines, keep taking them during and after cancer treatment, unless your doctors tell you to stop. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.

See your GP for heart checks

It’s important to get your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly, including before, during and after cancer treatment. Talk to your GP about these tests.