Mammograms: A Promising Predictor of Heart Disease and Stroke in Women
New research suggests that routine mammograms, used to check for breast cancer, may also help predict a woman's risk for major cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes. The presence of breast artery calcification, detected through mammograms, was found to be a better predictor of cardiovascular events than the currently used risk tool. This discovery provides an opportunity for prevention and addressing the gender gap in cardiovascular mortality rates. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and establish guidelines for reporting breast artery calcification to women and their healthcare professionals.