The Texas Heart Institute Center for Cardiovascular Care is going PINK in support of, and raise awareness that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. We remind patients of the importance to schedule their mammograms and monitor their risk.

Heart disease and breast cancer share several risk factors including lifestyle measures that can help prevent both.

“Research supports adopting a heart-healthy approach in terms of exercise and diet, which is good for heart and breast cancer health in terms of prevention and survivorship, abstaining from alcohol and maintaining your weight can also reduce your risk,” according to Stephanie Coulter, MD.

Calcium buildup in the breast’s arteries appears as white spots or lines on a mammogram. However, it differs from calcium buildup in arteries.

Multiple studies have found a link between breast calcium buildup (BAC) and cardiovascular disease.  In fact, BAC may indicate arterial stiffening, which increases the risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.

In a new study released in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, the November issue reported that BAC was independently associated with cardiovascular disease and death — especially in younger women.

“In the future, BAC could be integrated into AI algorithms to help doctors assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and improve personalized care,” said Heather Pemberton, MD.