CT scan: Scientists yesterday announced they had detected the first known case of clogged arteries in the mummy of an Egyptian princess who lived 3,500 years agoStudy suggests doctors know less about atherosclerosis than previously thought
The pressures of modern living are regularly held responsible for causing heart attacks and strokes.
But it seems these afflictions are not solely by-products of our hectic times.
Scientists yesterday announced they had detected the first known case of clogged arteries - or atherosclerosis - in the mummy of an Egyptian princess who lived 3,500 years ago.
Healthier lifestyle? Of the 44 Egyptian mummies scanned that had detectable arteries or hearts, 45 per cent of them had calcium build-ups in their vessel wallsIt has long been known that ancient Egyptians suffered from plaque built-up in the arteries, but a University of California, Irvine-led study has concluded that the condition was far more prevalent than previously thought.
Lead researcher Dr Gregory Thomas said: 'Atherosclerosis is widespread among modern day humans and, despite differences in ancient and modern lifestyles, we found that it was rather common in ancient Egyptians of high socio-economic status living more than three millennia ago.'
Resting place: A wooden coffin lies open at an excavation site south of Cairo in 2005Researchers performed computerised tomography (CT) scans, with particular attention to the cardiovascular system, on 52 Egyptian mummies to determine whether they had atherosclerosis.
Of the 44 that had detectable arteries or hearts, 45 per cent of them had calcium build-ups in their vessel walls.
The oldest among them was Lady Rai, an Egyptian princess who lived between 1580 and 1550 BC. The researchers believe she probably died when she was in her early 40s.
The nursemaid to Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, she lived about 300 years prior to the time of Moses and 200 years before King Tutankhamun.
source: dailymail
