Heart Disease Has Plagued Humans for Over 3,500 Years—Why Is It Still Deadly?

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, killing around 610,000 people each year. Despite being largely preventable, it affects both men and women more than any other condition. Yet its history stretches back far longer than many realise—even ancient mummies show signs of the same ailment. Evidence of heart disease dates back over 3,500 years. Egyptian mummies from that era displayed signs of atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries harden and narrow. Centuries later, in the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci studied the coronary arteries, laying early groundwork for understanding the heart’s structure.

In the 17th century, Friedrich Hoffmann observed that coronary heart disease begins when blood flow in the arteries becomes restricted. Around the same time, William Harvey discovered how blood circulates through the body, pumped by the heart. Then, in 1768, William Heberden described angina—the tightness in the chest often linked to heart problems. Today, poor lifestyle choices worsen the issue. Smoking, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol or drug use, and chronic stress all raise the risk. Each year, about 735,000 Americans suffer a heart attack, highlighting how widespread the problem remains.

Heart disease has plagued humans for millennia, from ancient Egypt to modern times. While medical knowledge has advanced, the condition still claims one in four American lives annually. Better habits could prevent many of these deaths, yet the challenge persists.