Maryland Mammography Law Turns Incidental Cardiac Findings Into a New Screening Opportunity

Maryland mammography law turns incidental cardiac findings into a new screening opportunity

The law reflects growing interest in using existing imaging studies to identify cardiovascular disease risk without requiring additional scans, radiation exposure or costs.

Mammograms can offer a hint about heart disease risk — so why isn’t it included in results?

Mammograms may do more than detect breast cancer, potentially offering clues about heart disease risk. But only one state requires doctors to tell women about it.

New Maryland law requires radiologists inform patients of heart disease warning sign

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with radiologist Dr. Lisa Mullen about a new Maryland law requiring that patients be notified if mammogram results show calcium deposits in blood vessels.

New state law requires mammogram results to include this heart disease warning sign

As of Oct. 1, mammography centers in Maryland must notify patients if their scans show breast arterial calcification (BAC). Other states may follow suit.