Mammograms Reveal Hidden Heart Risk in Women

Millions of women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, the leading cause of death for women. Emerging research highlights how mammograms, typically used for breast cancer screening, can also detect signs of cardiovascular issues. Specifically, breast arterial calcifications (BACs), which are calcium deposits in breast arteries, can appear on mammograms.

While BACs are unrelated to breast cancer, studies indicate their presence may signify an elevated risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes. Research from 2026 involving approximately 25,000 women found that those with BACs had an 82% higher risk of future cardiovascular events. This finding suggests that mammograms can serve as an additional signal for increased cardiovascular risk.

Recognizing this link, Maryland became the first state to legally require radiologists to report BAC findings to patients. This new law, effective October 1, 2026, aims to provide women with more comprehensive information from their mammograms and encourage discussions about cardiovascular health with their physicians.

Some healthcare systems, like Northwell Health in New York, have voluntarily started reporting BAC findings. In early 2024, Northwell Health began universally reporting BAC results, identifying them in about 13% of nearly 88,000 mammograms analyzed from January through October 2024. This proactive approach has potentially saved lives, as in the case of Katherine Bormann, whose mammogram led to the discovery of a severely blocked cardiac artery.