A physiologist, Guyton realized that blood circulation is controlled largely by the capillaries, not just the heart, as had been previously assumed. “What most of us know about hypertension and congestive heart failure, that man did it,” said Dr. Wallace Conerly, one of Guyton’s colleagues at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
His physiology textbook was used to train doctors for 45 years, such as his 10 children, all physicians. Guyton, who had polio as a young adult, is also known for inventing an electric wheelchair, as well as a walking brace. He was killed in an auto accident on April 3. He was 83.