A group of UCLA Health physician-scientists and their collaborators have uncovered a potential connection between cardiac remodeling and cancer risk. Their findings, once validated, could inform prevention efforts.
The researchers reviewed Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) data from more than 6,000 participants. All had no diagnosed cardiovascular disease and were aged 45-84. Additionally, it is important to note that they were all either non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Chinese Americans.
Using MRI, “the researchers assessed baseline cardiac structure and function.” Additionally, they “used multivariable statistical models to investigate the association of cardiac MRI measurements with the risk of all cancers.”
Nearly 800 cancer cases were diagnosed throughout the follow-up duration.
Breast cancer risk was linked to the following instances of cardiac remodeling:
- Elevated heart muscle mass
- Elevated left ventricular mass
Colorectal cancer risk was tied to:
- Lower left atrial function
- Decreased peak left atrial strain
The researchers are calling for further large and more diverse studies to confirm the findings. Additionally, “the study does not prove cardiac remodeling causes cancer.” An association was only found.
