Ancient Egyptians knew the pain of heart disease

WASHINGTON: The hardening of the arteries associated with heart attacks and strokes is not just a modern phenomenon, according to new research showing ancient Egypt’’s pharaohs suffered from heart disease too. “Atherosclerosis is ubiquitous among modern day humans and, despite difference in ancient and modern lifestyles, we found that it was rather common in ancient Egyptians of high socioeconomic status living as much as three millennia ago,” said Gregory Thomas, a cardiology professor at the University of California, Irvine.