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[Atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Short historical notes]
1Hospital Regional de Cardiología y Neumología, Centro Médico Nacional del Noreste, IMSS. Monterrey, Nuevo León.
Insights
Ancient medical texts reveal early recognition of coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Historical accounts from Egyptian mummies and Hippocratic writings show evidence of these cardiovascular conditions in antiquity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Medical History
- Ancient Medicine
Context:
- Historical medical texts provide insights into past understandings of diseases.
- Coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease have a long history in human pathology.
Purpose:
- To review historical accounts of coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.
- To trace the evolution of concepts and clinical descriptions of these conditions from antiquity to the recent past.
Summary:
- The review examines ancient medical records, including Egyptian mummies and the Ebers' papyrus, for evidence of atherosclerosis and angina.
- Corpus Hippocraticum provides clinical and prognostic data on potential cases of angina, infarction, and sudden death.
Impact:
- These historical findings enhance our understanding of primitive medicine in the Ancient Western World.
- The study demonstrates the ancient origins of atherosclerosis, predating modern medical understanding.
Abstract:
A review of some historical accounts in Medicine reveals concepts, clinical descriptions and prognosis of coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease in the recent past and in remote antiquity. Herein, the historical accounts disclosed include some concepts and terms utilized in reference to atherosclerosis: the oldest documentation of coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction in Egyptian mummies; the clinical syndrome of angor pectoris in the Ebers' papyrus, as well as clinical and prognostic data in the Corpus Hippocraticum regarding possible cases of angina, infarction and sudden death. These reports give a better insight into primitive medicine in the Ancient Western World, revealing the evolving concept of atherosclerosis and the existence of this disease in humanity's remote past.