Are transplant patients at a higher risk for cardiovascular (heart and circulatory) problems?
Studies have shown that some patients experience an increased risk of cardiovascular problems after a transplant. There is evidence of a higher risk in patients who received an allogeneic (donor) transplant and also in certain autologous transplant recipients. Risks vary depending on many factors, including a previous treatment with certain types of chemotherapy, radiation to the chest, type of conditioning for transplant, type of transplant, gender, age at transplant, and graft-vs.-host disease history. Patients who are already at an increased risk due to factors such as diabetes, smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise may be at particularly high risk. A strong family history of heart problems also is an indicator of increased risk after a transplant.
