Breast Arterial Calcium: A Game Changer in Women's Cardiovascular Health? Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • In 2018, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the leading cause of death among women, and current CVD prevention paradigms may not be sufficient in this group. In that context, it has recently been proposed that detection of calcification in breast arteries may help improve CVD risk screening and assessment in apparently healthy women. This review provides an overview of breast arterial anatomy; and the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and measurement of breast artery calcium (BAC); and discusses the features of the BAC-CVD link. The potential clinical applications that BAC may offer for CVD prevention in the context of current clinical practice guidelines and recommendations are also discussed. Finally, current gaps in evidence gaps are outlined, and future directions in the field are explored with a focus on the implementation of BAC mammography as a CVD risk-screening tool in routine clinical practice.

publication date

  • March 13, 2019

Research

keywords

  • Arteries
  • Breast
  • Incidental Findings
  • Mammography
  • Vascular Calcification
  • Women's Health
  • Women's Health Services

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85071684045

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.jcmg.2018.07.035

PubMed ID

  • 30878429

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 12

issue

  • 12