Nearly 25% of women with breast arterial calcifications on mammo develop heart disease

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) identified on screening mammograms may help identify women who face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new analysis published in Clinical Imaging.

Arrows illustrate breast arterial calcifications for a 65-year-old woman on a screening mammography image (mediolateral oblique and craniocaudal views). Images and caption courtesy of Clinical Imaging

Specifically, women with BACs on their mammogram may be at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.