Oncologists and cardiologists should consider providing cardio-oncology rehabilitation as patients move through their cancer treatment, the American Heart Association (AHA) urges in a new scientific statement.

As cancer survival rates have improved, patients now face a two- to three-fold increased risk for heart disease and two- to 18-fold more risk of hypertension and diabetes compared to their peers who have not had cancer, according to the statement published in Circulation.

The higher risk is likely due to both normal aging and cancer-related effects such radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and weight gain.

Under cardio-oncology rehabilitation doctors will identify patients at a high risk for heart disease, especially those exposed to high doses of cardiotoxic chemotherapy or radiation.