Analytical studies on neurocirculatory asthenia and related diseases using psychological and cardiovascular...

In order to analyze the nature of the cardiovascular complaints in neurocirculatory asthenia (NCA) and related diseases, 83 cases were studied on the basis of the results of psychological tests (Cornell Medical Index and Yatabe-Guilford test) and cardiovascular and respiratory parameters. Almost all of the patients with normal psychological test results had abnormalities in one or more of the following: blood pressure, pulse rate, cardiac index, TII in the standing position, and cardiothoracic ratio. The data suggest that the cardiovascular complaints of the normal psychological test group can be attributed to somatic factors, especially to a small size of the heart. On the other hand, the group with psychological abnormalities had hearts of normal sizes, a less marked lowering of TII in the standing position, but markedly abnormal respiratory patterns. This indicates that the respiratory abnormalities seen in this group are likely to be the symptoms of cardiac psychoneurosis.