Cardiovascular comorbidities and cancer-directed therapies in Hispanic breast cancer patients: a two-center analysis from the Southwestern U.S.

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality among breast cancer survivors, particularly affecting Hispanic women due to a high burden of comorbidities and treatment-related toxicities. However, real-world cardiovascular risk and treatment patterns in this population remain under-characterized.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 394 Hispanic patients with stage I-III breast cancer treated with curative intent between 2022 and 2023 at two institutions in the Southwestern U.S. Data included demographics, cancer therapy, cardiovascular comorbidities, and medication use.

Results: The cohort had a mean age of 59.9 years and a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m². Cardiovascular comorbidities were present in 57.5% of patients, which appears numerically higher than rates reported in prior breast cancer cohorts (~40%). Hypertension (45.7%) and diabetes (24.3%) also appeared numerically more common than prior national estimates. Among hypertensive patients, 73.9% were receiving antihypertensives, which is numerically lower than previously published rates (~77%). In contrast, 94.2% of patients with hyperlipidemia were on statins, numerically higher than prior reports (~70%). All patients with CVD were receiving aspirin. Chemotherapy was administered to 66% of the cohort, a numerically higher rate than prior Hispanic breast cancer studies (~48%). Anthracycline use (19.2%) aligned with national de-escalation trends.

Conclusion: Hispanic patients with breast cancer in the Southwestern U.S. face a high burden of cardiovascular disease and numerically lower rates of antihypertensive use. These findings support the need for regionally tailored, integrated cardio-oncology approaches.