Can a mammogram detect heart disease like Nancy Preston's?

Yes, mammograms can detect breast arterial calcifications (BAC), which are linked to heart disease, even without typical symptoms.

What is breast arterial calcification (BAC)?

BAC refers to calcium buildups in the breast arteries, potentially indicating underlying heart disease.

Is Mount Sinai studying breast arterial calcifications?

Yes, Mount Sinai is conducting a behavioral study on how women react to being notified about BAC findings in mammograms.

Home / Health / Routine Scan Reveals Silent Heart Danger

Routine Scan Reveals Silent Heart Danger

3 Jan

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Summary

Routine mammograms can detect breast arterial calcifications, a heart disease indicator.
A woman's life was saved by a mammogram finding she had no symptoms.
A study explores notifying women about breast arterial calcifications in mammograms.

Routine Scan Reveals Silent Heart Danger

A routine mammogram led to quintuple bypass surgery for Nancy Preston, who had no typical heart disease symptoms. Doctors detected breast arterial calcifications (BAC), calcium buildups in breast arteries associated with heart disease. Preston's case, discovered via a Mount Sinai study, underscores BAC's potential as an early heart health indicator.

The study aims to understand women's reactions to BAC findings. Experts suggest mammograms could serve as a dual screening tool for both breast and heart conditions. Current regulations do not mandate reporting BAC, but research is pushing for its inclusion.

Growing evidence links BAC to cardiovascular risks, especially in younger women. While BAC doesn't confirm heart disease for everyone, it prompts crucial conversations about lifestyle changes and preventive cardiology, potentially averting severe medical interventions.