Mammograms May Offer Early Insight Into Cardiovascular Disease

Mammograms May Offer Early Insight Into Cardiovascular Disease

Breast arterial calcification (BAC), which is detected on mammograms, may indicate a potential risk of cardiovascular disease. Tom Werner/DigitalVision/Getty Images Mammograms may do more than detect breast cancer — the routine X-ray check may also offer insight into heart health. Research shows that breast arterial calcification (BAC), which forms in the breasts, may indicate potential risk for cardiovascular disease. Reporting BAC on mammograms has become a major push among leading healthcare organizations. Mammograms are widely used to help detect breast cancer, but they may also offer insight into heart health. The routine X-ray screening may identify breast arterial calcification (BAC), which is the presence of calcium deposits within the walls of the small arteries in the breast. On a mammogram, BAC is commonly identified as thin, white, parallel lines that give a “tram-track” appearance. While BAC is harmless to the breasts, it is associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2022 study found women with BAC were 51% more likely to develop heart disease or experience a stroke than those without it. Laxmi Mehta, MD, a cardiologist at The Ohio State U

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Source: Google Health