Doctors frequently stress the importance of getting mammograms to detect breast cancer early. But did you know the imaging can also show hidden signs of heart disease? CBS News' Michael George has one woman's story.

Recent research has shown that mammograms, commonly used to detect breast cancer, can also reveal signs of heart disease through the identification of breast arterial calcification (BAC). BAC appears as small white dots on mammograms and is considered a marker for increased cardiovascular disease risk, as calcification in breast blood vessels can indicate similar issues in the heart or brain.

A study at Mount Sinai is investigating the benefits of informing women about BAC findings. In one case, a woman with no apparent heart symptoms was found to have BAC, which led to further testing and the discovery of blocked arteries requiring surgery. About 12% of patients in the trial have shown BAC, and researchers advocate for BAC reporting to become standard in mammography nationwide. Experts also anticipate that artificial intelligence will soon assist in identifying these calcifications.

How mammograms can spot hidden signs of heart disease

During this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we've been hearing about the importance of getting mammograms to detect breast cancer early. But did you know that mammograms can also show hidden signs of heart disease? Nancy Preston says a mammogram saved her life, but not because it picked up breast cancer. It showed the 66-year-old yoga instructor had signs of heart disease. It was just a time bomb. Could have happened at any time. She's taking part in a study at Mount Sinai informing women about breast arterial calcification, or BAC. It's these little white dots that follow in this line. Which can be seen on a mammogram and is a marker for cardiovascular disease risk. Blood vessels that supply the breasts can get calcified the same way that blood vessels that are in your heart or that take blood up to your brain can get calcified and cause disease. Dr. Lori Margulies is leading the research. That turns out, in Nancy's case, to be incredibly significant. Nancy was notified she had BAC. It was recommended she see cardiologist Dr. Marianne McLaughlin. Despite managing high blood pressure and cholesterol very well, her stress test showed changes consistent with blocked arteries. Ms. Preston was in very good health, so I really wasn't entirely sure I would find something. You need open-heart surgery. I was in such shock. About 12% of patients in the trial show BAC. The goal, to make BAC reporting a standard part of mammography nationwide. Every woman should be getting their mammogram and also asking whether they have vascular calcifications in their breasts. So if a radiologist puts in their report that there's breast arterial calcification, I would want every gynecologist, every primary care doctor, to then tell the patient, let's check it out. Nancy needed quintuple bypass surgery. A no-brainer that this should be information shared. I'm so glad that I was made aware of this. She's now in cardiac rehab and back to practicing some light yoga. And right now, the radiologist notices BAC on the mammogram and reports it. But doctors expect in the coming years, AI will identify calcifications as well.

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