What are early symptoms of chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity?

• A. Fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, shortness of breath on exertion
• B. Chest pain at rest
• C. Palpitations
• D. Headache

Answer: (A)

Early signs of chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity come from the heart not pumping as well as it should when you’re active. When the heart’s pumping ability starts to wane from treatment, you notice how everyday activity becomes harder. Fatigue sets in because the body isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood to tissues during exertion. You also experience reduced exercise tolerance, meaning you can’t do as much activity as before, and you become short of breath with physical effort because the lungs aren’t receiving or using blood as efficiently as needed.

Chest pain at rest is more characteristic of issues like coronary artery disease or pericarditis, not the typical early pattern after chemotherapy. Palpitations and headaches can occur for other reasons and aren’t as characteristic of early cardiotoxicity.