Heart Health Risk For People with MDS

For people with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the focus of your care is normally placed on blood counts, bone marrow health, and anti-cancer treatments. However, a population-based study using data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us that taking care of overall health, especially your heart health, is an important part of long-term care.

The research found that cardiovascular disease is a leading competing cause of death for people diagnosed with MDS. Prioritizing heart health and keeping up with regular medical monitoring are important steps you can take alongside your standard MDS care.

Tracking MDS and heart health trends

Researchers evaluated how heart disease and MDS developed in people over a long time period. The study focused on older adults (aged 75 and older) across the United States. They included anyone who had both MDS and cardiovascular disease listed as underlying or contributing factors to their cause of death.

From 1999 to 2020, a total of 72,206 people with these overlapping conditions died in the United States. The study found that the mortality rates shifted across three distinct periods:

• From 1999 to 2010, the mortality rates rose by about 2.17% each year.
• From 2010 to 2018, the rates declined by about 2.48% annually.
• From 2018 to 2020, the rates began to rise slightly again, though this recent increase was not statistically significant.

There were notable differences across MDS communities depending on gender, race, and location

The data revealed significant differences in how heart-related mortality affects various demographic groups within the MDS population. This responds to why personalized care and strict heart monitoring are important.

• Men had a higher risk of heart problems than women. The age-adjusted mortality rate was 25.6 for men compared to 11.4 for women.
• Non-Hispanic White individuals had the highest mortality rate of 17.5, compared to Black adults (9.8), Asian or Pacific Islanders (11.5), and Native American or Alaska Native populations (8.4) who had lower rates.
• Where you live matters. Heart-related mortality rates for MDS patients were highest in the West (18.4) and Midwest (18.0), and lowest in the South (14.2). On a state level, the numbers varied greatly, ranging from a low of 8.16 in Louisiana to a high of 25.72 in Vermont.
• Urban vs. rural living: there was a slight annual increase in mortality rates for people living in rural areas (0.49%) compared to those living in urban areas (0.44%).

Protect your heart while managing MDS

Because MDS and your heart are interconnected, managing a blood condition means actively supporting your cardiovascular system. If you have a heart condition, make sure your cardiologist becomes a part of your health team with your oncologist. They can work together to ensure that MDS therapies do not affect your heart health. 

Regular monitoring through blood pressure checks, echocardiograms, and routine appointments can help clinicians identify early signs of heart changes.

To learn more about how oncology treatments interact with your cardiovascular system, take a moment to read our comprehensive article on Cancer Treatment and Heart Health.

Source: Intersecting risks: Myelodysplastic neoplasms and cardiovascular disease mortality in older adults across the United States, 1999–2020.