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History of Cardiology Timeline

(c. 1550 BCE - Present)

The history of cardiology traces humanity's understanding of the heart and circulatory system, from ancient anatomical observations through William Harvey's discovery of blood circulation to modern innovations such as electrocardiography, cardiac surgery, pacemakers, and interventional procedures that transformed heart care. Less

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Coronary artery disease

Risk of death from CAD declines for a given age

1980 - 2010

Between 1980 and 2010, the risk of death from CAD for a given age decreased, especially in developed countries, thanks to advances in prevention, treatment, and management of cardiovascular risk factors.

Image source: Coronary artery disease

Risk of death from CAD declines for a given age

CAD causes 5.74 million deaths globally

1990

In 1990, coronary artery disease (CAD) resulted in 5.74 million deaths worldwide, accounting for about 12% of all deaths. This figure would rise substantially over the following decades as populations aged and risk factors spread.

Cases of CAD for a given age decrease

1990 - 2010

The number of cases of CAD for a given age also decreased between 1990 and 2010, indicating improvements in prevention and risk factor control even as total case numbers grew due to aging populations.

Cardiovascular disease becomes leading cause of death

2008

Cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death globally in 2008, and caused 24.95% of total deaths that year, underscoring the enormous public health burden of cardiac conditions worldwide.

Image source: Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease becomes leading cause of death

CAD prevalence by age group measured

2010

In 2010, about 20% of those over 65 had CAD, while it was present in 7% of those 45 to 64, and 1.3% of those 18 to 45, demonstrating how strongly CAD prevalence increases with age.

CAD becomes most common cause of death globally

2013

In 2013 CAD was the most common cause of death globally, resulting in 8.14 million deaths (16.8%) up from 5.74 million deaths (12%) in 1990, reflecting both population growth and aging across the world.

Arrhythmias

Atrial fibrillation and flutter cause 29,000 deaths

1990

In 1990, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter resulted in approximately 29,000 deaths worldwide. This number rose sharply in subsequent decades as populations aged.

Image source: Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation and flutter cause 29,000 deaths

Atrial fibrillation and flutter cause 112,000 deaths

2013

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter resulted in 112,000 deaths in 2013, up from 29,000 in 1990, a nearly fourfold increase driven largely by the aging of the global population.

Atrial fibrillation affects 2% to 3% of Europeans and North Americans

2014

In Europe and North America, as of 2014, atrial fibrillation affected about 2% to 3% of the population, making it one of the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmias encountered in clinical practice.

Heart anatomy and physiology

Deaths from cardiomyopathy and myocarditis decline

1990

In 1990, cardiomyopathy and myocarditis resulted in 366,000 deaths worldwide. By 2013 this figure had fallen to 323,000 deaths, reflecting improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

Image source: Myocarditis

Deaths from cardiomyopathy and myocarditis decline

Cardiomyopathy and myocarditis affect millions globally

2013

In 2013, cardiomyopathy and myocarditis were present in 34.3 million people globally, representing a significant burden of structural and inflammatory heart disease around the world.

Image source: Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy and myocarditis affect millions globally

Cardiomyopathy and myocarditis cause 323,000 deaths

2013

In 2013, cardiomyopathy and myocarditis resulted in 323,000 deaths, down from 366,000 deaths in 1990, showing a modest decline in mortality from these conditions despite their widespread prevalence.

Hypertension

Hypertension a factor in 9.4 million deaths

2010

In 2010, hypertension was believed to have been a factor in 18% (9.4 million) deaths worldwide, making elevated blood pressure one of the single most important modifiable contributors to premature mortality.

Image source: Hypertension

Hypertension a factor in 9.4 million deaths

Key Facts

  1. Ancient Egyptians described the heart's role in circulating fluids as early as 1550 BCE in the Ebers Papyrus.
  2. In 1628, William Harvey published his groundbreaking work demonstrating that blood circulates through the body pumped by the heart.
  3. The first human electrocardiogram was recorded by Augustus Waller in 1887, and Willem Einthoven developed the practical ECG machine, earning the Nobel Prize in 1924.
  4. In 1967, Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful human-to-human heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa.
  5. Andreas Gruentzig performed the first successful percutaneous coronary angioplasty in 1977, revolutionizing minimally invasive treatment of heart disease.

Source

This History of Cardiology timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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