Heart Conditions Linked

Although rare, some people may have side effects linked to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or capecitabine chemotherapies that affect their hearts. Up to 6 people out of 100 patients receiving this treatment have cardiac side effects.

While some people have no symptoms, others might feel chest pressure or pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath. If you feel these or other side effects, your doctor may do different heart tests. 

Chest Pain (Angina)

The most common heart symptom due to 5FU chemotherapy is chest pain or pressure and feels like you are having a heart attack. You may feel like your chest is being squeezed, or have a feeling of heaviness, pressure, weight, or tightness in your chest. You also may feel a burning in your chest. The pain can radiate to the shoulder, neck, jaw, arm or back. The chest pain may lessen when the chemotherapy is stopped.

If you experience chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

How Does Fluoropyrimidine Chemotherapy Cause Chest Pain?

Chest pain may happen because 5FU can affect the coronary arteries. These arteries sometimes spasm (coronary vasospasm) causing blood flow to decrease. When that happens, your heart muscle may not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function well. This causes pain. 

If you feel chest pain after having chemotherapy, call 911 and seek emergency care.