Low Blood Pressure

Low Blood Pressure: Its Causes and Significance focuses on the important and interesting aspects of low arterial pressure. This book discusses the vasomotor control of arterial pressure; significance of low arterial pressure; autonomic-endocrine influences; and symptomatology of acquired hypopiesis. The parasympathetic or extended vagus system; arteriosclerosis of large vessels; psychical low arterial pressure; and agents causing vascular dilatation are also deliberated. This text likewise covers the exanthematous infections of doubtful etiology; atrophic cirrhosis of the liver; occasional difficulties in diagnosis; and control of low arterial pressure. This publication is intended for medical practitioners and clinicians aiming to acquire knowledge of low arterial pressure and its associations.

Preface

Chapter I Physiological Blood Pressure

General Considerations

Special Considerations

Definition of Arterial Pressure

Circulatory Factors in Arterial Pressure

1. The Cardiac Energy

2. The Peripheral Resistance

3. The Resiliency of the Arterial Walls

4. The Volume of the Circulating Blood

5. The Consistency of the Blood

The Measure of Circulatory Efficiency

Vasomotor Control of Arterial Pressure

Sphygmomanometry

Methods of Estimation of Arterial Pressure

1. Tactile

2. Vibratory

3. Oscillatory

4. Auditory

Meaning and Value of the Minimal (Diastolic) Pressure

Meaning and Value of the Maximal (Systolic) Pressure

The Complete Arterial Pressure Picture

Theoretical Standard Arterial Pressures in Males of Medium Physique at various Ages

The Standard Level of Arterial Pressure

Chapter II Low Arterial Pressure

Definitions of Hypotonia, Hypopiesis, Hypopiesia

"Hypotension"

Significance of Low Arterial Pressure

The Upper (Systolic) Limit of Low Arterial Pressure

The Lower (Diastolic) Limit of Low Arterial Pressure

Range of Low Arterial Pressures

Low Differential (Pulse) Pressure

Differential Pressure as an Index of Functional Efficiency

Frequency of Incidence of Low Arterial Pressure

Influence on Low Arterial Pressure

(a) of Sex

(b) of Emotion

Classification of Low Arterial Pressure

Chapter III Aetiology of Low Arterial Pressure

General Considerations

The Author's Views:—

Low Arterial Pressure not a Physiological State

A Comprehensive and Unifying ^Etiological Principle

The Author's Biological Law of Low Arterial Pressure

Autonomic-Endocrine Influences

Biochemical Influences

Views of other Writers:—

A. Negative Views on ^Etiology

B. Positive Views on etiology

Summary

Chapter IV Symptoms and Signs of Low Arterial Pressure

Subjective Symptoms

Physical Signs

Symptomatology of Acquired Hypopiesis

Symptomatology of Constitutional Hypopiesis

Chapter V Autonomic-Endocrine Aspects of Low Arterial Pressure

1. Influence of the Autonomic (Vegetative) Nervous System on Low Arterial Pressure:—

The Parasympathetic or Extended Vagus System

The Sympathetic System

Relation of the Autonomic to the Endocrine System

Vagotonia

Sympatheticotonia

Vagotonic Syncope

2. Influence of the Endocrine System on Low Arterial Pressure Endocrine Insufficiency

(i.) Thyroid Insufficiency

(ii.) Adrenal Insufficiency

(iii.) Pituitary Insufficiency

"Hyposphyxia"

Chapter VI Circulatory Factors in Production Of Low Blood Pressure

The Circulatory Mechanisms Involved:—

I. The Heart

II. The Arteries

ΙII. The Arterioles and Capillaries

IV. The Veins

V. The Blood

Chapter VII Low Arterial Pressure in the Absence Or Organic Disease

A. Psychical Low Arterial Pressure

B. Physical Low Arterial Pressure

1. Hypotonia (Primary or Essential Arterial Hypotonus)

2. Hypopiesia (Primary or Essential, Congenital and Constitutional Hypopiesis)

3. Temporarily Induced as a result of:—

4. Permanently Acquired as a result of:—

Chapter VIII Low Arterial Pressure Consequent upon Trauma. Infection, and Other Agencies

I. Temporary

A. In Association with Acute Conditions

B. In Association with Subacute and Chronic Conditions

II . Congenital and Persistent

C In Association with—

III. Acquired and Persistent

In Association with—

Chapter IX Low Arterial Pressure in the Presence of Acute Organic Disease

Low Arterial Pressure in Association with the Acute Specific Infectious Diseases:—

(a) Microbio Infections

(b) Exanthematous Infections of Doubtful Aetiology

(c) Protozoan Infections

(d) Metazoan Infections

(e) Spirochetal Infections

Chapter Χ Low Arterial Pressure in the Presence of Chronic Organic Disease Acquired and Persistent

A. In Association with Chronic Conditions usually attended by Wasting—The Cachexias

1. Adrenal Insufficiency

2. Malignant Disease

3. Tuberculosis

4. Diabetes Mellitus

5. Deficiency Diseases

6. Atrophic Cirrhosis of the Liver

7. Tropical Diseases of Doubtful Aetiology

B. In Association with Chronic Conditions not usually attended by Wasting:—

1. Constitutional Affections

2. The Anemias

3. Chronic Infections

4. Chronic Intoxications

5. Chronic Arthritis and Fibrositis

6. Tinnitus Aurium

C. The Lowest Limits of Arterial Pressure compatible with Life

D. As a Terminal Event

Chapter XI Diagnosis and Prognosis of Low Arterial Pressure

Procedure in Diagnosis

Utility of Biochemical Investigation

Occasional Difficulties in Diagnosis

Diagnosis in Autonomic-Endocrine Conditions

Influence of Posture

Cardiological Aspects of Diagnosis and Prognosis

Diagnosis and Prognosis

Chapter XII Control Of Low Arterial Pressure

I. General Measures of Co-ordinated Control

1. Mode of Life

2. Diet

3. Rest

4. Exercise

5. Change of Air

6. Sunshine

II. Special Measures of Co-ordinated Control

1. Relaxation Exercises and Passive Movements

2. Deep Breathing Exercises

3. Massage and Resistance Exercises

4. Ultra-Violet Radiation

5. Static Electricity

6. Oxygen

7. Hydrotherapy

8. Organotherapy

9. Drug Therapy

10. Treatment of Symptoms

11. Treatment of Emergencies in States of Depressed Vitality

12. Treatment of Conditions of Association