Calcification is the buildup of calcium in tissues where it shouldn’t be, causing hardening and potentially dangerous effects. It commonly occurs in breast tissue, the aortic valve, and coronary arteries, and can be an indication of heart disease or breast cancer.
Calcification refers to the buildup of calcium or calcium salts in tissues where it doesn’t belong. This often results in hardening of the tissue, which can have unpleasant or dangerous results. Calcification is most common to occur in breast tissue, the aortic valve of the heart, and the coronary arteries. Even dead or degenerated tissue can be affected by calcification.
In breast tissue, calcification is a relatively common process characterized by the formation of calcium deposits. This can be caused by simple aging, inflammation, or a foreign object in the tissue, such as implants or sutures. Two major forms of calcification occur in breast tissue: macrocalcifications and microcalcifications. The former are commonly the result of breast tissue degeneration that occurs with age and are not usually a cause for concern. These deposits are coarse in consistency and usually occur in women over the age of 50.
As the name suggests, microcalcifications are smaller deposits of calcium. These small deposits clump together and can be an indication of breast cancer. Most other forms of calcification take place in the heart.
The valve that leads to the aorta from the heart is particularly susceptible to calcification. It was long thought to be a harmless condition, but later research suggests it may be an indication that the patient already has heart disease, even in the absence of other symptoms. In the early stages, the function of the valve itself is not significantly impaired but often causes an audible heart murmur. Advanced aortic calcification affects the valve and can do so to the extent that it can lead to chest pain or even a heart attack.
Calcification can also occur in other areas of the heart, such as the arteries. In this case, the arterial plaques become covered with calcium deposits that form a brittle outer layer over the plaques. The elderly are the ones most susceptible to calcification of this variety, particularly when they already have significant risk factors for heart disease. Some tests can measure how much calcium is in plaques, but these tests are relatively new and are seriously limited on their own.
Less common forms of calcification can occur in almost any area of the body. Dystrophic calcification refers to what occurs due to mineral deposits not caused by a high level of calcium in the tissue as a whole. Conversely, when measured calcium levels are elevated in tissue, the precipitated calcium forms what is called a metastatic calcification in otherwise normal tissue.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
