Coronary Heart Disease and the Ischemic Demise of a Beloved Fictional Hero: Hercule Poirot of Agatha Christie Fame

摘要

The most likely cause of death of Hercule Poirot, the fictional Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie, was advanced coronary heart disease due to several cardiovascular risk factors. To investigate this hypothesis, the authors scrutinized all Agatha Christie books which included Poirot as their main character and examined his lifestyle and physical symptoms. Although the English writer was likely unaware of the now well-known links between Poirot's lifestyle and his exitus, considering the predominant therapeutic options for cardiovascular disease when the books were written and comparing them with Poirot's life, the authors were able to establish the severity and progression of his illness. Agatha Christie's novels also provide some unexpected information on knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases in the twentieth century.