Can your mammogram detect early warning signs of heart disease? Researchers suggest this is possible.

A mammogram not only detects breast cancer, but it can also detect breast arterial calcification (BAC), which is plaque buildup in the breast’s arteries.

Breast arterial calcification can be considered a red flag for coronary artery disease. The blood vessels in the breasts are smaller than those in the heart, so sometimes, women can develop early disease in the breast arteries.

The connection between breast arterial calcification and heart disease

Traditionally, physicians see BAC in 10-12% of patients. Even with this conservative measure, approximately 4 million women nationwide undergoing screening mammography would exhibit BAC, with 2-3 million likely to have signs of premature coronary atherosclerotic disease.

That number means BAC can be an equivalent or stronger risk factor for coronary artery disease when compared to risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Physicians found that 70% of women with breast arterial calcification on their mammogram had coronary artery calcification as well. This could be an important finding for the early detection of heart disease, especially in women under age 60.

Taking this into account, a doctor reviewing a woman’s mammogram can look for breast arterial calcification and then refer the woman to a preventive cardiologist for further evaluation.

The ability to look for calcification allows doctors to use screening exams, such as coronary artery calcium scans, to further risk stratify women for premature coronary artery disease. Then, if the calcium score is high, such as greater than 400, further screening for significant blockages with stress testing can be completed.

Screening for heart disease

Women start getting mammograms at age 40 and colonoscopies at age 50. With heart disease, women are typically only referred for screening if they have a strong family history of early heart disease or are at increased risk themselves.  Even though patients may fall into this category, many don’t seek out a heart screening.

Many women in their 30s and 40s may not have a primary care provider . They may only see an OB/GYN, which means they may not be monitored for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Raising awareness of the No. 1 killer of women

Women tend to be aggressive in getting mammograms and Pap smears, but many don’t think about the “silent killer,” heart disease.

While breast cancer affects one in seven women, heart disease affects one in three women. 

Talk to your doctor about breast arterial calcification

Getting a mammogram can trigger a discussion about your heart health and whether you need further testing with a preventive cardiologist.

A preventive cardiologist can review your heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or risk factors more prevalent in females like depression, lupus, gestational diabetes or preeclampsia during pregnancy. They can also order heart disease screening tests, such as a coronary calcium scan.

Know your heart disease risk factors

Knowing the risk factors of heart disease in women is important, and breast arterial calcification should be considered as a risk factor. Modifying your heart disease risk factors before you have symptoms.

Learn more about how to decrease your heart disease risk factors.

Book an appointment with a Piedmont cardiologist today.