How does arterial stiffness in aging affect SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure readings?

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Multiple Choice

How does arterial stiffness in aging affect SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure readings?

Explanation:
Arterial stiffness with aging reduces the elastic cushioning of the large arteries. When the heart ejects blood into these stiffer vessels, systolic pressure tends to rise because the arteries can’t expand as much to absorb the pressure wave. Diastolic pressure, on the other hand, may fall due to the diminished elastic recoil during diastole, though it can also rise if peripheral vascular resistance increases. The net effect is a wider pulse pressure, since the difference between the higher systolic and the variable diastolic pressure grows. This explains why isolated systolic hypertension and a broad pulse pressure are common findings in older adults.

Arterial stiffness with aging reduces the elastic cushioning of the large arteries. When the heart ejects blood into these stiffer vessels, systolic pressure tends to rise because the arteries can’t expand as much to absorb the pressure wave. Diastolic pressure, on the other hand, may fall due to the diminished elastic recoil during diastole, though it can also rise if peripheral vascular resistance increases. The net effect is a wider pulse pressure, since the difference between the higher systolic and the variable diastolic pressure grows. This explains why isolated systolic hypertension and a broad pulse pressure are common findings in older adults.

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