New research presented this week at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology show that coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is not an ailment of modernity. Coronary artery disease refers to the hardening and narrowing of blood vessels of the heart due to atherosclerosis, a process whereby plaques made of cholesterol, fat, calcium and minerals deposit and harden in the arteries. This can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes. The scientists used CT scans to view the coronary arteries of 52 mummies and found that 20 of them had definite plaques and 8 of them had plaques in locations where they expected arteries to be. Each CT scan was read and confirmed by eight different cardiologists. The researchers say this is the earliest evidence we have of CAD in humans, putting into question the notion that CAD is due to our modern diet and sedentary lifestyle. One of the mummies was a princess that lived over 3,500 years ago. Perhaps she, too, led a pretty tame and glutinous life. [via Medical News Today]
Thanks to Kosmix Corporation / RightHealth
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