AI detects heart disease from mammograms – new hope for women

A routine breast cancer screening could soon offer vital insights into women's heart health, thanks to artificial intelligence. Researchers in Israel have developed an AI model capable of analyzing mammograms to identify women at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The study, presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Munich, analyzed nearly 100,000 mammograms from over 29,000 women. The AI model demonstrated significant accuracy in detecting indicators of cardiovascular issues, including identifying women who had suffered a stroke with 86% reliability. It also showed 79% accuracy in distinguishing between women with and without high blood pressure, and 78% accuracy for coronary artery disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for women globally, often remaining undiagnosed for extended periods. The potential of using mammograms for this dual purpose is particularly promising because millions of women already undergo the screening annually. If proven safe and reliable, this technology could provide an additional layer of preventive care without requiring women to undergo separate, dedicated heart imaging tests.

While the results are encouraging, researchers stress that further studies are necessary before this AI-driven approach can be integrated into daily medical practice. The team is currently working to refine the model to improve its accuracy and expand its ability to detect a wider range of cardiovascular conditions. Experts view this as a significant step toward a more comprehensive approach to women's preventive healthcare.

“

A mammogram can offer more information