(New York, NY) — Doctors have been using mammograms to spot signs of potential heart disease. Breast arterial calcification (BAC) can show up during routine mammograms — presenting as tiny white lines. And this could signal a higher risk of heart problems.
At New York’s Northwell Heath, radiologists now include BAC in mammogram reports. If BAC is found, women are referred to a heart doctor for further testing.
This is already reportedly saving lives – one patient felt fine, but her mammogram showed BAC — and follow-up tests revealed a blocked artery. Doctors were able to treat it before a heart attack happened.
Experts hope more hospitals adopt this approach to help catch heart disease early.
