About orthostatic hypotension in tetraplegic individuals reflections and experience.

The author recalls the role of the autonomic nervous system and the means of investigation of this system in orthostatic hypotension occurring in tetraplegic individuals and the haemodynamic, biochemical and humoral changes which are triggered by upward tilting of such people. He then considers some of the problems that a person who is tetraplegic may encounter during his life. Regular follow up of each tetraplegic person is necessary and includes respiratory function tests as well as 24 h blood pressure monitoring.