Mammography Could Identify Millions of Women Needing Preventive Cardiology Care
New research suggests that breast arterial calcifications (BAC) detected during routine mammography may help identify women at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, often before symptoms appear.
A recent study found that many women with BAC have no prior diagnosis of heart disease, highlighting a missed opportunity for early intervention and preventive cardiology care.
Breast arterial calcifications (BAC) detected on routine mammograms may play a crucial role in identifying women at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to new findings published in Clinical Imaging.
The study reveals that a significant number of women with BAC visible on imaging have no known history of cardiovascular conditions, suggesting that these calcifications could serve as an early warning sign of potential heart disease. For many patients, the presence of BAC may be the first indication that further cardiovascular evaluation is needed.
The research, published on June 7, analyzes the relationship between BAC identified on screening mammograms and the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). While previous studies have explored the association between BAC and heart disease risk, less attention has been given to how many women with BAC remain undiagnosed.
Laurie R. Margolies, MD, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and colleagues emphasized the importance of these findings. According to the authors, BAC detection could prompt asymptomatic women to undergo cardiovascular screening, potentially identifying undiagnosed CAD before serious complications occur.
Cardiovascular disease is often underdiagnosed in women because it can remain silent until severe events such as heart attacks or sudden cardiac death. In this context, BAC detected during routine breast cancer screening could offer a valuable opportunity for early detection and intervention.
To better understand the prevalence of BAC among women without known cardiovascular disease, researchers reviewed mammograms from more than 4,300 patients with no history of coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, angina, or heart failure.
The analysis found that BAC prevalence in this group was just over 8%, significantly lower than the approximately 17% reported in studies that did not exclude patients with cardiovascular histories. This suggests that up to half of women with BAC may be unaware they are at increased risk for coronary artery disease.
The study also identified differences across populations. BAC was more common among Black and Hispanic women, and less prevalent among Ashkenazi women and those undergoing hormone replacement therapy at the time of imaging. No significant associations were found between BAC and menopausal status, age at menarche, or breast density.
Researchers estimate that, when applied to the approximately 43 million mammograms performed annually, mammography could identify as many as 3.44 million women without known cardiovascular disease who may benefit from preventive cardiology care.
Despite these findings, the reporting of BAC is not yet standard practice. Currently, Maryland is the only U.S. state to have passed legislation requiring BAC reporting. The move has sparked debate among experts, with some supporting its potential to improve early detection and others arguing that current evidence is still insufficient to justify widespread mandates.
Overall, the study highlights the growing recognition of mammography as not only a tool for breast cancer screening but also a powerful asset in broader women’s health, particularly in identifying hidden cardiovascular risk.
Source:
Hannah Murphy | June 08, 2026 | Radiology Business | Womens Imaging