More From Your Mammogram
A mammogram is an important part of breast health—but it may also contain information about other aspects of a woman’s health.
Exodus Healthcare is introducing Mammo with Heart, an optional $90 service designed to provide additional information from your existing mammogram by using AI-assisted analysis to evaluate the presence or absence of breast arterial calcifications (BAC).
What Are Breast Arterial Calcifications?
Breast arterial calcifications are calcium deposits that can occur within the walls of arteries in the breast and may be visible on a mammogram.
They are different from the types of breast calcifications that may require additional evaluation for breast cancer.
BAC is generally considered a benign mammographic finding, but research has found associations between BAC and cardiovascular risk.
Why Is BAC Relevant to Heart Health?
Cardiovascular disease is a major health concern for women.
Research published in recent years has found that the presence of BAC on mammography is associated with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events in women.
Importantly, an association does not mean that BAC by itself diagnoses heart disease. Rather, it may provide an additional piece of information that can be considered alongside established cardiovascular risk factors.
What This Means
Mammo with Heart is intended to provide additional information—not a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and not a replacement for a medical evaluation.
How Mammo with Heart Works
01 — Schedule Your Mammogram
Book your regular mammogram with Exodus Healthcare.
02 — Choose Mammo with Heart
Add the optional $90 Mammo with Heart service to your mammogram.
03 — Receive Additional Insight
Your mammogram is analyzed for the presence or absence of breast arterial calcifications (BAC).
What Mammo with Heart Does Not Require
Mammo with Heart uses your existing mammogram, so it does not require:
- Additional imaging
- Additional radiation
- A separate appointment
- A replacement for your regular mammogram or routine medical care
What a BAC Result Does—and Does Not—Tell You
A result indicating the presence of BAC does not mean that you have heart disease, and the absence of BAC does not mean that you have no cardiovascular risk.
Cardiovascular health depends on many factors, including:
- Age
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking history
- Family history
- Other clinical considerations
If BAC is identified, the information can be discussed with your healthcare provider in the context of your overall health and existing cardiovascular risk factors.
Your provider can determine whether any additional evaluation or risk-factor management is appropriate.
Why Add Mammo with Heart?
Mammo with Heart is designed around a simple idea: when information is available from an existing screening examination, patients may benefit from knowing about it.
The service uses your existing mammogram rather than requiring another imaging study or appointment.
For women who want additional information about their cardiovascular health, Mammo with Heart offers another data point to discuss with their healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mammo with Heart included with my mammogram?
No. Mammo with Heart is an optional $90 service in addition to your regular mammogram.
Does Mammo with Heart replace a mammogram?
No. Mammo with Heart is an optional service performed in connection with your regular mammogram. It does not replace breast cancer screening.
Does it require additional radiation?
No. The service analyzes your existing mammogram and does not require additional imaging or radiation.
Does a positive BAC finding mean I have heart disease?
No. BAC is not a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
It is an imaging finding that research has associated with cardiovascular risk and should be interpreted in the context of your overall health.
What should I do if BAC is identified?
Discuss the result with your healthcare provider. They can consider it alongside your other cardiovascular risk factors and determine whether any follow-up is appropriate.
Can I get Mammo with Heart without a regular mammogram?
Mammo with Heart is designed to be performed using your mammogram, so it is offered alongside a regular mammogram.
Ready to Get More From Your Mammogram?
Mammo with Heart is available for $90 per patient alongside your regular mammogram at Exodus Healthcare.
Learn more about Mammo with Heart at:
exodushealthcare.com/mammo-with-heart
Questions about whether Mammo with Heart is right for you?
Talk with your healthcare provider.
