Scientists Find Hardened Arteries In Ancient Mummies

Orlando, FL (AHN) – Using CT scan imaging on mummies as old as 3,500 years, U.S. and Egyptian researchers discovered that heart disease and hardened arteries are not problems unique to modern times.

The researchers studied 20 mummies from the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, Egypt, and were able to find evidence of blood vessels or heart tissue in 13 of the mummies. They saw intact hearts in four of the mummies.

Atherosclerosis, or the build-up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances on the inner walls of blood vessels was seen in three of the mummies, and three others had probable atherosclerosis, the researchers said in a statement.

The condition was more common in mummies thought to have been more than 45 years old at the time of death. The mummies dated between 1981 B.C. to 364 B.C., and all were of high social class.

The findings were presented by Dr. Randall C. Thompson of the Mid American Heart Institute to the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla. this week.