Heart disease signs found in mummies

2009-11-19 04:07:59 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Medical News, News)

Researchers have found evidence of heart disease in ancient mummies.

Researchers find signs of heart disease in mummies.

Orlando, Florida (WiredPRNews.com) – New research suggests that modern risks factors for heart disease such as eating fast food aren’t the only culprits of heart disease. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), researchers recently found evidence of heart disease in ancient mummies using a CT scan.

Dr. Michael Miyamoto of the University of California at San Diego, a researcher on the study, is quoted by the AP as stating of the findings, “We were struck by the similar appearance of vascular calcification in the mummies and our present-day patients… Perhaps the development of atherosclerosis is a part of being human.”

The social status of the mummified individuals is suggested to have played a role in their developing high blood pressure and related health issues. Dr. Randall Thompson, a cardiologist at the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, who was also a researcher on the study, is further quoted by the AP as stating, “Rich people ate meat, and they did salt meat, so maybe they had hypertension (high blood pressure), but that’s speculation.”

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