Novartis announced that Gleevec, a cancer drug they produce, could cause diminished hear function in some patients. This is tremendously important for cancer patients who also suffer from heart disease, or an unrelated heart condition. The active drug imatinib mesylate is used in two types of cancer: chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). Patients with heart disease or a heart condition who need this drug can still take it, if no other alternatives are suggested by the doctor, however they have to be closely monitored for heart failure. It is not wise to discontinue the drug without talking … Continue reading →