Routine mammograms used to screen for breast cancer could also be used to identify postmenopausal women at higher risk of strokes or heart attacks, a new study suggests.
Researchers discovered that breast arterial calcification is associated with an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
The research findings are published in the journal, Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging.
Breast arterial calcification commonly appears as white spots on breast images, indicating a build up of calcium in the arteries.
It can occur as women age and is related to high blood pressure, inflammation and type 2 diabetes.
It is different to the type of calcification found in the inner layer of the arteries that is caused by smoking or excessive cholesterol.
The appearance of calcification may be overlooked during a screening as it is not believed to signify breast cancer.
Lead study author Dr. Carlos Iribarren, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research in Oakland, California, said:
“Currently, it is not the standard of care for breast arterial calcification visible on mammograms to be reported.
“Some radiologists do include this information on their mammography reports, but it’s not required.
“We hope that our study will encourage an update of the guidelines for reporting breast arterial calcification from routine mammograms.”
Researchers analysed health records for 5,059 racially and ethnically diverse postmenopausal women aged between 60-79 who had had a digital mammogram screening at nine sites between October 2012 and February 2015.
The women were followed-up for six-and-a-half years to see whether they had a stroke, heart attack or any other type of cardiovascular disease.
Women who showed evidence of calcification in their breast arteries were 51 per cent likely than the other women to have a stroke.
They were also 23 per cent more likely to develop any type of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure.
Co-author Dr. Sadiya Khan, assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said:
“[It] is really important to note that the absence of breast arterial calcification did not translate into low risk and should not be falsely reassuring when no breast arterial calcification is present.
“Optimal risk factor control is equally important for all women with and without breast arterial calcification.”
