A retrospective study led by Hari Trivedi at Emory University School of Medicine analysed mammogram data from 123,762 women aged 40 to 79. The women took part in breast screening at Emory Healthcare and at another large health care system, and none had known cardiovascular disease when their mammograms were taken.
The researchers used AI tools to measure calcium deposits in the arteries within breast tissue, a finding known as breast arterial calcification (BAC). BAC is a sign that arteries are becoming hardened and has been linked to higher risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death. Trivedi noted the relationship between BAC and cardiovascular disease has been known for decades, and AI can now measure it more precisely and follow changes over time.
The study grouped BAC as absent, mild, moderate or severe and compared later cardiovascular outcomes. Risks rose with BAC severity. The authors recommend that women discuss mammogram results with their doctor to consider preventive steps. The results appear in the European Heart Journal and the research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Difficult words
- analyse — examine data to find informationanalysed
- mammogram — an x-ray image of the breastmammograms
- screening — medical tests to check for disease
- cardiovascular — related to the heart and blood vessels
- calcification — formation of hard calcium deposits in tissue
- severity — how serious or bad a condition is
- fund — provide money for a project or researchfunded
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Discussion questions
- Do you think it is useful for mammograms to show signs of heart disease? Why or why not?
- If a doctor told you about BAC on your mammogram, what preventive steps might you discuss?
- How could AI measurement of medical images change health care in your country?
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