Ancient Mummies Reveal Evidence of Atherosclerosis, Suggesting Heart Disease and Stroke Have Long Existed

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has unveiled intriguing findings about the prevalence of atherosclerosis among ancient civilizations. Researchers analyzed CT scans of 237 adult mummies from various cultures spanning over 4,000 years and discovered evidence of atherosclerosis in a surprising 37.6% of them.

Contrary to popular belief, heart disease and strokes were not exclusive to modern times. The mummies studied were not recent, with the oldest dating back to ancient Egypt. The sample consisted of 161 mummies from ancient Egypt, 54 from lowland Peruvian farmer-fishermen, three from highland Andean Bolivian farmer-pastoralists, four from 19th century Unangan/Aleutian Islander hunter-gatherers, four from 16th century Greenlandic Inuit hunter-gatherers, five from ancestral Puebloan, and four from Middle-Ages Gobi Desert pastoralists.

The study, known as the Global HORUS Study, took place from 1999 to 2022 and included 91 female mummies (38.4%), 139 males (58.6%), and seven mummies (3%) with an undetermined sex. Notably, these mummies had a much shorter life expectancy, with an estimated mean age of death around 40 years. This suggests that atherosclerosis was already present in individuals in their 30s and 40s.

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries thicken or harden due to the build-up of plaques containing cholesterol, fat, blood cells, calcium, and other substances in the artery lining. This can lead to the obstruction of blood flow, potentially causing heart attacks and strokes.

The study revealed that the most common site for atherosclerosis was the aorta, found in 21.5% of the mummies. Following that, the ilio-femoral arteries showed a prevalence of 20.7%, followed by the popliteal-tibial arteries (16%), carotid arteries (14%), and coronary arteries (0.4%).

However, it is important to note that the mummification process and the passage of time may have altered the mummies' vasculature and body tissues, potentially impacting accurate diagnosis. The researchers acknowledged this limitation and took a conservative approach in determining the presence of atherosclerosis. This suggests that the actual prevalence of atherosclerosis among these ancient populations could have been even higher than the study's findings indicated.

These findings challenge the notion that heart disease and strokes are solely modern health issues resulting from lifestyle factors and longer lifespans. Instead, they suggest that humans may have had inherent predispositions to develop atherosclerosis over time. Further research is needed to fully comprehend the factors contributing to the development of these conditions throughout history.

The study's results shed light on the importance of understanding the origins of cardiovascular diseases and may have broader implications for modern medicine. By examining the health profiles of ancient populations, researchers can gain valuable insights into the evolution and prevalence of diseases, ultimately informing prevention and treatment strategies for present-day cardiac and cerebrovascular conditions.