Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Tamoxifen as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Tamoxifen intake carries the risk of increasing the blood lipid levels and can contribute to forming atherogenic blocks in the blood vessels. Atherosclerosis can increase the risk for compromised blood supply to the heart muscle and individuals can present with episodes of chest pain or discomfort, exacerbation of shortness of breath, and even heart attack, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death. Atherosclerosis, secondary to tamoxifen use, can also result in elevated blood pressure and in some individuals can significantly increase the risk for development of stroke.
- Compromised blood supply to the cardiac muscle can result in altered function and development of cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Patients taking tamoxifen can present with increased thickness of blood and risk for blood clot/thrombus formation. The clot formation can result in pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, and development of stroke. Watch out closely for signs and symptoms, such as, pain in the calf muscle, episodes of sudden cough and exacerbated shortness of breath, chest pain, and in severe cases can present with numbness or weakness, especially in one half of the body, poor balance, problems with speech and/or vision, severe headache, and confusion.
