Mammographic breast density and cardiovascular disease in women. A literature review
E. V. Bochkareva,
N. I. Rozhkova,
E. K. Butina E. K,
I. V. Kim,
O. V. Molchanova,
S. Yu. Mikushin,
P. V. Ipatov,
O. M. Drapkina https://doi.org/10.15829/1728-8800-2024-4064
Abstract
The world is searching for new simple and economically available gender-specific markers to improve cardiovascular risk stratification in women. The aim of this review was to analyze the association of mammographic density (MD) with cardiovascular disease (CVD). In low MD, i.e., high relative mammary gland fat content, there is a higher incidence of the main risk factors for CVD: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, excess body weight, as well as an increase in the volume of fat depots, visceral and ectopic fat. Low MD is associated with a higher 10-year risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, revascularization, and heart failure, and may serve as a predictor of their development. Including MD in the Framingham Risk Score model improves its accuracy. Identification of low MD, as a marker of high cardiovascular risk, allows the use of mammography for early detection and prevention of the two most dangerous diseases among the female population — breast cancer and CVD.
About the Authors
E. V. Bochkareva
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
N. I. Rozhkova
Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute — branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology;
Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
E. K. Butina E. K
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
I. V. Kim
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
O. V. Molchanova
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
S. Yu. Mikushin
Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute — branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology;
Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
P. V. Ipatov
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
O. M. Drapkina
National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine
Moscow
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Supplementary files
What is already known about the subject?
- The world is developing approaches to using mammography not only for diagnosing breast cancer (BC), but also for determining the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. In the last few years, mammographic breast density (MD) has been considered as one of the potential mammographic markers of cardiovascular risk.
- The MD depends on the relative fat content in this organ; with a low MD, the breast predominantly consists of adipose tissue.
What might this study add?
- Current literature suggests that low MD is associated with a higher 10-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, revascularization, heart failure).
- With low MD, there is a higher frequency of the main risk factors for CVD, including an increase in the volume of fat depots, visceral and ectopic fat.
- Including MD into the Framingham Risk Score model improves its accuracy.
Review
For citations:
Bochkareva E.V., Rozhkova N.I., Butina E. K E.K., Kim I.V., Molchanova O.V., Mikushin S.Yu., Ipatov P.V., Drapkina O.M. Mammographic breast density and cardiovascular disease in women. A literature review. Cardiovascular Therapy and Prevention. 2024;23(8):4064. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15829/1728-8800-2024-4064
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