Mammograms are best known as a tool to screen for breast cancer, but a new study shows they may also reveal hidden signs of heart disease—thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).
The study, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25), found that AI can help analyze calcium buildup in the arteries within breast tissue, a signal of potential cardiovascular problems.
This could open the door to using mammograms not only for cancer screening but also as an early warning system for heart disease, especially in women under 60.
Mammograms are routine X-rays of the breast, recommended every one to two years for middle-aged and older women. Around 40 million are performed annually in the U.S. While breast artery calcification can sometimes be seen in these images, radiologists don’t usually measure or report it, and most patients and doctors never hear about it.
But researchers from Emory University, Mayo Clinic, and other institutions believe that’s a missed opportunity.
“We see a chance for women to be screened for both cancer and cardiovascular disease at the same time,” said Dr. Theo Dapamede, the study’s lead author. “Breast arterial calcification is a strong predictor of future heart problems, especially in women younger than 60.”
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., yet it often goes undiagnosed or overlooked. Adding cardiovascular screening to an already common test could help flag problems earlier—before symptoms appear.
The team used a deep-learning AI model to scan mammogram images for signs of breast arterial calcification. These appear as bright spots on the X-ray. The AI then estimated the woman’s future risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure, based on her imaging and electronic health records.
The AI was trained on a large dataset of more than 56,000 women who had mammograms at Emory Healthcare between 2013 and 2020 and were tracked for at least five years. This gave the system enough real-world data to learn from and improve its accuracy.
The model performed well in sorting women into low, moderate, or high cardiovascular risk categories. It was especially accurate for women younger than 80, with the most value seen in women under 60—those most likely to benefit from early lifestyle changes or medical treatment.
Among women with the highest levels of calcium buildup (above 40 mm²), only 86.4% were still alive and free of heart-related problems five years later. In comparison, 95.3% of women with little or no calcium buildup (under 10 mm²) had no such issues. That’s nearly a 3-times higher risk of death or a major event for those with severe calcification.
Researchers believe this AI tool could serve as a powerful early alert system—identifying women who need further evaluation by a heart doctor, even if they’re visiting the clinic for a routine cancer screening.
The AI model is not yet available for public use. It must still undergo additional validation and receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it can be adopted in clinics. If approved, the system could be built directly into routine mammogram screenings, helping doctors automatically assess heart risk alongside cancer detection.
Researchers are also planning to explore whether AI can use mammograms to spot early warning signs of other diseases, such as kidney disease or poor circulation in the limbs.
Review and Analysis
This research highlights a major opportunity in women’s health: using existing tools in smarter ways. Since millions of mammograms are performed every year, and most women over 40 already get screened regularly, this test provides a built-in chance to check for early signs of heart disease—often before symptoms begin.
Breast arterial calcification isn’t new, but until now, it hasn’t been used systematically to guide care. By using AI to spot and measure it, doctors may be able to identify at-risk women earlier and potentially prevent heart attacks or strokes down the line.
What’s most promising is the model’s usefulness in younger women under 60, a group often overlooked when it comes to heart disease screening. These women could benefit greatly from lifestyle changes or medical treatment before more serious damage occurs.
While more research and approval are still needed, this study shows how technology—especially AI—can turn everyday medical images into powerful predictors of health beyond their original purpose. It’s a promising step toward more efficient, preventative, and personalized care for women.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and Yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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