Mammographic breast features and risk of cardiovascular diseases in korean women

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Cardiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Growing evidence links cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with breast calcification.
• Mammographic breast features are emerging as potential predictors for CVDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between mammographic features (benign calcification, microcalcification, breast density) and cardiovascular diseases.
• To explore the utility of mammographic findings in predicting CVD risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 6,878,686 women aged 40+ screened between 2009-2012, with follow-up until 2020.
• Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between mammographic features and cardiovascular diseases.

Main Results:

• Benign calcifications (9.6%) and microcalcifications (0.9%) were positively associated with increased chronic ischemic heart disease risk (aOR 1.14-1.19).
• Dense breasts (47.3%) showed an inverse association with chronic ischemic heart disease risk (aOR 0.88).
• Microcalcifications were linked to a 1.16-fold increased risk of heart failure.

Conclusions:

• Mammographic calcifications correlate with higher chronic ischemic heart disease risk.
• Dense breast tissue is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Mammographic screening for breast cancer offers a potential avenue for early cardiovascular disease risk assessment and prevention.