Cardiologist Dr. Husam Abdel-Qadir wants people to understand something vital: heart disease, cancer, and brain health aren’t separate issues—they’re deeply interconnected. And the choices we make today can shape the trajectory of all three.
“Heart disease and cancer often appear together, and not just by chance,” says Dr. Abdel-Qadir. Shared risk factors—like poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking—contribute to both conditions. Thanks to medical advances, survival rates for both heart disease and cancer have improved significantly. But that also means more people are living longer with chronic illnesses—and often, more than one at a time.
A Closer Look at Shared Risks
While age is the single strongest risk factor for both heart disease and cancer, many lifestyle-related risks overlap. Smoking, for instance, significantly raises the risk of multiple cancers and is a well-known cause of heart attacks and strokes. And while overall smoking rates have declined, Dr. Abdel-Qadir notes one concerning exception: smoking is on the rise among young women in North America and Europe.
Diet also plays a powerful role. “Ultra-processed foods, in particular, are linked to worse outcomes for both heart and cancer risk,” he explains. Diets high in fiber, plant-based proteins, and healthy seafood (especially those rich in omega-3s) seem to offer protective benefits. On the other hand, research around red meat remains mixed—some studies show a connection to higher disease risk, but the quality and type of meat may matter.
Physical activity is another key factor that cuts across all three areas. “Exercise improves heart health, lowers inflammation, helps with body composition, and supports better glucose control,” Dr. Abdel-Qadir says. And while its effect on cancer is harder to measure, studies suggest that regular physical activity may lower inflammation and insulin resistance—two factors that influence cell growth and potentially cancer risk.
How Obesity Ties It All Together
Obesity is one of the most important—and complex—links between heart disease, cancer, and brain health. “Excess weight affects the body in so many ways,” Dr. Abdel-Qadir says. It raises blood pressure, increases insulin resistance, disrupts hormones, and can worsen sleep apnea—all of which raise the risk for heart conditions, certain cancers, and cognitive decline.
In terms of brain health, the strongest connection is with stroke and vascular dementia. Obesity-related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can damage blood vessels in the brain, leading to memory problems, confusion, or more severe outcomes over time.
“Even without a stroke, the slow narrowing of blood vessels can cause cognitive decline,” Dr. Abdel-Qadir notes. And in conditions like atrial fibrillation—a common heart rhythm problem tied to excess weight—the risk of stroke is even higher.
The Joy Factor: Alcohol and Health
Dr. Abdel-Qadir also addressed an evolving topic in preventive health: alcohol. “Recent changes in alcohol guidelines have been driven not by heart health, but by cancer risk,” he explains. Even small amounts of alcohol now appear linked to an increased risk of several cancers. Still, he approaches the topic with nuance.
He emphasizes that health isn’t just about avoiding disease—it’s also about quality of life. For some people, alcohol brings joy and connection, and it’s important to weigh both medical risk and personal values. In his clinical approach, he works with patients to find a sustainable balance that honors both data and individual well-being.
What Can Be Done?
So what does this all mean for someone trying to improve their long-term health?
Dr. Abdel-Qadir encourages a focus on small, consistent patterns—daily choices around food, movement, and rest—that add up over time. While each choice may seem minor, he emphasizes that their cumulative impact can be powerful over the course of years or decades.
The Bottom Line
“Heart disease isn’t inevitable,” says Dr. Abdel-Qadir. “So much of it is modifiable. The decisions made today—how much to move, what to eat, how well we sleep—truly shape the risk of heart issues, cancer, and brain decline later on.”
In other words, prevention is powerful. And it’s not just about living longer—it’s about living well.
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An important step towards better health for many people is reaching a healthier weight, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. To find a physician near you who specializes in weight management, click here.
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This article was sponsored by Novo Nordisk Canada. All content is created independently by My Heart – What To Know with no influence from Novo Nordisk.