Prostate Cancer and Coronary Heart Disease

Hello Hubbysupport 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Prostate Community, although I am so sorry to find you here.

The main effect of Hormone Therapy is the reduction in testosterone. This can lead to the production of more "fats" in the body and yes there is a small risk of both heart conditions and type 2 diabetes.

It looks like your husband as you say is-

Hubbysupport said:

just “getting on with it”.

which is great. If he can keep as fit as possible and overcome the fatigue that is also a side effect of HT he should be fine.

If you feel you need that little bit of extra help and support we are always here for you on the Community - we don't always talk "cancer" (do-nuts was a hot topic a few months ago). There's also our support line for you on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week).

I hope this helps - feel free to ask any questions you have - someone will have an answer.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Hubbysupport.

Good afternoon it's great to meet you today but I am very sorry that you have both joined the club nobody wants to join!!!!

I was diagnosed in June 2023 and put straight onto HT (tablets and injections) 

The HT dropped my PSA down to single figures within weeks which was amazing. I had a Stroke in 1998 and have had a number of Brain Operations since.

I went into hospital last week for one shot of RT to my right pelvis/hip where the cancer had spread to and was causing a lot of pain.

This seems to have calmed things down for now which is great news. I do hope that other members can answer your question about HT & Heart Attacks.

Prostate Worrier.

Hi Hubbysupport and sorry to find you here.  I am not medically trained and don’t know what effect the HT will have on his heart.  I started HT at the age of 68 over 7 years ago and was very worried about the stated side effects regarding heart problems, but it hasn’t been an issue so far.  In your OH’s position, he is probably on heart meds anyway so the risk increase is likely to be very marginal.  I think Brian (Millibob ) made a very valid point about trying to keep as fit as possible, it will also help to combat the fatigue and weight gain.  Try not to worry, hugs David

Hello Hubbysupport 

I am sorry to find you here and can relate to the tears, as many wives can. You are not bothering us and hope that we can offer you some reassurance. Our lives, hopes and fears are in a state of flux when faced with a major health issue but we have no idea of where the journey will lead, however things do get better particularly when we start taking control of what we can do. As your husband has already had heart attacks then I expect you are aware of the importance of exercise and diet along with monitoring cholesterol, triglycerides, Hb1Ac...... The hormone therapy can lead to an increased risk of diabetes and raise the cholesterol so anything you can do diet wise will help. There are some types of hormone therapy which can have less effect on the cardiovascular system so I would try and get the oncologist and cardiologist to coordinate in your husband's care.

You might like to read the attached article which explains things a little and what you need to look out for, plus what you can do.

We will try and help with any questions you might have, no matter how small or silly you might think them.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10136828/

I hear you. This is my first day in this community but 5 months with my husband’s cancer. Where you are right now the first few days are incredibly hard emotionally as you start to get your head round it all. But things do settle down over time. It is like the acute stage of grieving at the start, there is just shock and numbness and often incredible sadness. But that acute stage does shift a little bit for most people. 

We heard back in April that my husband had advanced metastatic prostate cancer Gleason score 9 on top of heart failure. His arteries are clear. It’s the left ventricle not working as it should. Like yourself I was shocked and tearful by the new diagnosis.
Now, some time later I can say that things have become normalised. Of course nothing is normal as before but we are hopeful that all this amazing medication will keep him stable. We were told that the HT every 4 weeks, instead of every 3 months is because this dose is slightly less powerful and will help protect the heart. On top of this my husband is on a daily oral medication called Enzalutamide which doesn’t seem to be unduly affecting his heart. I hope this helps. 

Please be reassured that the consultants will give your husband the best treatment possible and that the heart will do its best to perform properly as other medications are given. The body is incredible in adjusting to threats. 
All strength and peace to you as you begin this journey.

Thank you so much for responding.  I felt so alone in all this.  I’m so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to try and reassure me .

It’s so hard for everyone in different ways and I’d be lying if I said that I don’t have fears about the future.
We wives and partners and carers need to support each other too. I find just offloading today and sharing my story has helped. I hope you find the same as time goes on. ️

Hello Jenny28 

We husbands and male partners would be lost without you, so from me thanks to all of you for sticking around and your continued support.

We are stubborn and proud and sometimes need the proverbial kick up the backside but even if we don't show it (I was about to say we are men, but after 3 years on HT - I wonder) we do appreciate all the support we get.

Thanks ladies (and not forgetting the male partners too). You are all amazing.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Hubbysupport 

So sorry to hear your news.

We are all here for you both.

 I had a heart bypass in 1999 (65 now) 

 I have had a few scares and was told that I had had a  couple of mild heart attacks prior to my bypass.

The year before the bypass I had an aneurysm to my femoral artery which was touch and go, after receiving a stent and angioplasty glad to say I’m ok.

My Gleason is 4+5=9, high risk and aggressive 

And am incurable with locally advanced prostate cancer which has gone to the lymph nodes deep in my pelvis.

My oncologist told me that my plan was hormone treatment and radiotherapy, however when I told her I walked my dogs two hours a day she said I’m going to throw chemotherapy into the mix and throw everything at it.

My HT started right away and chemotherapy in January 2021 with a brief rest followed by radiotherapy the same year.

My psa was 17 at its highest and is now 0.02

I am just staying positive and smiling keeps my chin up.

Hope this helps

love to you both

take care

Spud

” you don’t know how Strong you are 

until being Strong is your only choice “

Bob Marley 

Thank you so much for responding and the reassurance given.  I wish you well