The medieval origins of the concept of hypertension

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• History of Hypertension

Background:

• The historical evolution of cardiovascular concepts, including hypertension, is not fully understood in its medieval context.
• Early medical texts offer insights into historical understandings of diseases and their management.
• Al-Akhawayni's "Hidayat al-Muta'allimin fi al-Tibb" (The Students' Handbook of Medicine) is a significant medieval medical text.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the medieval concept of hypertension as described in Al-Akhawayni's work.
• To analyze the definition, symptoms, and management of "Imtela" (About the Fullness) in the context of hypertension.
• To compare Al-Akhawayni's description of "Imtela" with contemporary understanding of hypertension.

Main Methods:

• Review of the chapter "Fi al-Imtela" (About the Fullness) from Al-Akhawayni's "Hidayat al-Muta'allimin fi al-Tibb."
• Comparative analysis of Al-Akhawayni's description of "Imtela" with modern hypertension knowledge.
• Examination of historical medical texts for early concepts of cardiovascular conditions.

Main Results:

• Al-Akhawayni proposed "Imtela" could stem from excessive blood volume within vessels.
• Symptoms described for "Imtela" include pulsus magnus, sleepiness, dyspnea, facial blushing, and hemorrhagic stroke.
• Management strategies included lifestyle changes (avoiding anger, limiting intercourse) and dietary modifications (avoiding wine, meat, pastries; low-energy diet; incorporating spinach and vinegar).

Conclusions:

• Al-Akhawayni's "Imtela" represents a medieval conceptualization potentially related to hypertension.
• Despite differences from modern hypertension, his description offers valuable historical insights.
• This study highlights the early origins of hypertension concepts in medieval Islamic medicine.