Not medical advice. This site is general information only. In an emergency call your local emergency number. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.

Heart Disease

Non-communicableAtherosclerosis, hypertensionAncient (Egyptian mummies)Lifestyle, genetics
TypeNon-communicable
CauseAtherosclerosis, hypertension
First KnownAncient (Egyptian mummies)
TransmissionLifestyle, genetics

About Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths a year. Ancient Egyptians had it despite no modern processed food. The Framingham Heart Study, started in 1948, identified major risk factors. First heart transplant by Christiaan Barnard in 1967. Stents and bypass surgery save millions.

Related Diseases

Cancer

Non-communicableVarious risk factors

Named by Hippocrates using the Greek word for crab, karkinos. In countries such as the UK, about one...

Stroke

Non-communicableHypertension, lifestyle

The second leading cause of death globally. Hippocrates called it apoplexy, meaning struck down with...

Diabetes

Non-communicableGenetics, lifestyle

Ancient doctors tasted urine to diagnose it, noting it was sweet. Type 1 was fatal before insulin wa...

Alzheimers Disease

Non-communicableAge, genetics

The most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer presented the case of Auguste Deter in 1906. Over 55 mi...