AI predicts risk of serious heart disease from mammograms

The study included 123,762 women who had mammograms but were not previously diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Scientists used artificial intelligence to analyze calcium deposits in the arteries of the breast. Calcification of the arteries is a sign of hardening of the arteries and an increased risk of conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death. The level of calcification was classified as severe, moderate, mild, or absent.

The researchers then compared these data with actual cases of serious cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack or death from cardiovascular causes. The results showed that women with mild calcification had an approximately 30% higher risk of serious disease than women without calcification; with moderate calcification, the risk increased by more than 70%, and with severe calcification, the risk increased by two to three times.

Scientists have found that the more calcium in breast arteries on a mammogram, the higher the likelihood of developing serious cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, stroke or heart failure. This effect was observed even in women under 50, a group often considered low-risk, and persisted after controlling for other risk factors such as diabetes and smoking.