Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Mammograms can reveal clues about women's heart health
A mammogram used to screen for breast cancer can also show calcium deposits in breast arteries, known as breast arterial calcification.
These deposits are not a sign of breast cancer and do not confirm that someone has heart disease or a blocked heart artery.
Research links them to higher risks of heart disease and stroke: one 10-year study found about three times the risk of coronary heart disease and five times the risk of stroke, while a review of 45 studies found roughly double the risk of stroke and heart failure.
The review included more than 68,000 women, and also found roughly double the risk of death from any cause.
In October 2026, Maryland became the first US state to require mammography centres to notify patients in writing when deposits are detected.
Women who receive this notice can discuss the finding with a doctor; other US states may adopt similar rules.
Mammograms can show calcium deposits in breast arteries that are linked to higher cardiovascular risk.
The deposits, called breast arterial calcification, are not a sign of breast cancer and do not by themselves confirm heart disease.
A 2022 study of more than 1,000 women found higher rates of coronary heart disease and stroke among women with the deposits.
A 2026 review of 45 studies involving more than 68,000 women found about twice the risk of stroke, heart failure and death from any cause.
Maryland became the first US state to require mammography centres to notify patients in writing when the deposits are detected.
- Who
- Women undergoing mammography. The article discusses research by a cardiologist and colleagues, but does not name them.
- What
- Breast artery calcium deposits visible on mammograms may provide clues about cardiovascular risk.
- When
- Maryland introduced its notification requirement in October 2026. The article was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Maryland, the first US state to require written notification; the research concerns women more broadly.
- Why
- Research links the deposits to higher cardiovascular risk, so their detection may help identify women at greater risk.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Studies linked breast arterial calcification with diabetes and advanced kidney disease.
The author and colleagues published results from a 10-year study of mammograms from more than 1,000 women.
A meta-analysis of 45 studies involving more than 68,000 women reported elevated cardiovascular risks associated with the deposits.
Maryland became the first US state to require mammography centres to notify patients in writing when the deposits are detected.
- Maryland
- First US state to require written notification of detected breast artery calcium
- 2022 study
- More than 1,000 women followed through a 10-year study
- 2022 study findings
- About three times the likelihood of coronary heart disease and five times the likelihood of stroke among women with deposits
- 2026 meta-analysis
- 45 studies involving more than 68,000 women
- 2026 meta-analysis findings
- Approximately twice the risk of stroke, heart failure and death from any cause for women with deposits
What people are saying
This finding is not a sign of breast cancer.