Younger women with breast arterial calcifications are at markedly higher risk of major cardiovascular events

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) identified on screening mammograms may help identify women who face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new analysis published in Clinical Imaging.

Arrows illustrate breast arterial calcifications for a 65-year-old woman on a screening mammography image (mediolateral oblique and craniocaudal views). Images and caption courtesy of Clinical Imaging

Currently, there is no standardized reporting requirement related to BACs, and ACR classifies reporting vascular calcifications on breast imaging as optional.