calcifications may be seen, via mammography, in a ductal carcinoma-in-situ to produce visible radio-opacities. Arteriosclerotic calcification One of the principal causes of arterial stiffening with age is vascular calcification. Vascular calcification is the deposition of mineral in the form of calcium phosphate salts in the smooth muscle-rich medial layer of large arteries including the aorta. DNA damage, especially oxidative DNA damage, causes accelerated vascular calcification. Vascular calcification could also be linked to the chronic leakage of blood lysates into the vessel wall since red blood cells have been shown to contain a high concentration of calcium. Diagnosis In terms of diagnosis, in this case vascular calcification, an ultrasound and radiography of said area is sufficient. Treatment Treatment of high calcium/vitamin D ratio may most easily be accomplished by intake of more vitamin D if vitamin K is normal. Intake of too much vitamin D would be evident by anorexia, loss of appetite, or soft tissue calcification. See also Calcinosis Marine biogenic calcification Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis Pineal gland References Calcium Histopathology Biomineralization