Overview Of The History Of Heart Disease
The history of heart disease contains some quite interesting facts. We now know many things about coronary heart disease, cholesterol, and healthy heart foods because of science; however, our ancestors lacked this knowledge.
Far back in time to ancient Egypt records have been found talking about the importance of the heart. The history of heart disease tells us we could learn much from the way our ancestors lived.
Ancient Egyptians realized that the heart played a major role in keeping the body functioning. They believed the heart had a supernatural and metaphysical relationship to one’s being. The Egyptians back then thought similar thoughts about the heart as the Far East does also.
Ancient Egypt’s Beliefs About The Heart
These ancient Egyptian archaeological discoveries tell us that they believed the seat of personality and of human wisdom originates in the heart. They thought that leading to other areas of the body, from the heart, were pathways. These pathways transmitted the flow of fluids such as blood, saliva, nutrients, and air to parts of the body where needed. They thought the body would become diseased if a channel became blocked.
It was thought that human intelligence, personality, emotions, and the soul… they thought all stemmed from the heart. Music and poetry, even in this modern age, is described using the word heart, as if the heart was affected by feelings and emotions. God they thought related to us by means of our heart. Repeatedly since then in history, it has been written, “She has a broken heart”. Most certainly the ancient Egyptians stand out as a unique culture in our history books.
History Of Heart Disease And The Middle Ages
Research on the history of heart disease of the English speaking people in the middle ages, indicate they did not have much disease caused by cholesterol. The Briton’s in the middle ages also had few occurrences of heart disease. The natural state of the food consumed back then, was not altered by the processing of food, as it is today. No doubt even the water and the earth itself in those days contained fewer pollutants.
The Modern Age And Cardiovascular Disease
In pre-industrial times, medical research on the history of heart disease, tells us that most people did not suffer from heart ailments and subsequent death from cardiovascular disease.
The industrial revolution started in the 19th century. Heart disorders in the 19th century increased perhaps because of the industrial revolution, which reduced the need for people to perform physical labour. Before the industrial revolution, much of the world was run by muscle power. A strong and healthy heart was the result of manual labour. So if you perform manual labour your heart will have minimal fat around and within it and minimal chances of heart disease.
The Modern Age And Diet
As we all know nowadays, the foods we eat play a huge role in the possibility of whether or not we will have any cardiovascular ailments. Foods high in trans fatty acids, saturated fats, as well as salt, and other types of food are very destructive to the heart. Salt and fat found in food at fast food chain restaurants are known to increase our risk of coronary heart disease. Sugar, salt, and other additives may be in canned foods, and these additives may cause us health issues. Foods eaten in their natural state are better than foods that are processed. If you want longevity, eat well and exercise often, perhaps then… we may not become a statistic in the books of the future of the history of heart disease.
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