Why a Mammogram

I was sitting in the waiting room of a radiological center waiting for my yearly torture — a mammogram — and catching up on my Prevention magazine. What a coincidence that I saw a small article that said that mammography may identify women at increased risk of stroke. The article said a large number of benign calcium deposits may indicate plaque buildup in the arteries. The study, headed by Paul S. Dale, MD, was done at the University of Missouri. Plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, in the arteries leading to the brain is a major cause of stroke.

There have also been previous studies that have shown a link between calcium deposits and diabetes and heart disease. In this new research, researchers examined the mammograms of 793 healthy women, ages 40 to 90, with no history of stroke, heart disease, or diabetes.

They found the following:

86 of the women, or about 11%, had calcification

Of 204 women who had a stroke, 115 or 56%, had calcification

Since I’m fortunate to not have any breast cancer in my immediate family, I had tried to talk my doctor out of getting a mammogram, but perhaps there might be more than one reason to have one. I encourage you to get one as well.

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Tagged with: Amy Loden • Arteries • Atherosclerosis • Brain • Breast Cancer • Calcification • Calcium Deposits • Cause Of Stroke • Coincidence • Diabetes • Diabetes And Heart Disease • Heart Disease • History Of Stroke • Immediate Family • Mammogram • Mammograms • Paul S Dale MD • Plaque Buildup • Prevention magazine • Research Researchers • Small Article • Torture • University Of Missouri • Waiting Room • Women Ages

Filed under: Diabetes • Heart • Senior Health

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