Which statement about blood pressure in older adults is true?

Which statement about blood pressure in older adults is true?

• A. Both systolic and diastolic pressures are decreased
• B. Diastolic pressure increases, while systolic pressure remains the same
• C. Blood pressure readings become variable and unstable
• D. There is a widening pulse pressure

Answer: (D)

As people age, arteries become stiffer and less compliant. This reduces the ability of the arterial system to dampen the pressure wave from the heart. Systolic pressure tends to rise because the stiff arteries don’t expand as readily, while diastolic pressure may stay the same or fall a bit because the arteries don’t recoil as effectively during diastole. The net effect is a larger gap between systolic and diastolic pressures, known as a widened pulse pressure. This pattern—high systolic with relatively lower diastolic—is the characteristic change seen in many older adults. The other patterns described don’t reflect this typical aging change. Clinically, a widened pulse pressure is important to recognize, as it relates to arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk, and it underscores the need for careful measurement and monitoring of systolic hypertension in the elderly.

As people age, arteries become stiffer and less compliant. This reduces the ability of the arterial system to dampen the pressure wave from the heart. Systolic pressure tends to rise because the stiff arteries don’t expand as readily, while diastolic pressure may stay the same or fall a bit because the arteries don’t recoil as effectively during diastole. The net effect is a larger gap between systolic and diastolic pressures, known as a widened pulse pressure. This pattern—high systolic with relatively lower diastolic—is the characteristic change seen in many older adults. The other patterns described don’t reflect this typical aging change. Clinically, a widened pulse pressure is important to recognize, as it relates to arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk, and it underscores the need for careful measurement and monitoring of systolic hypertension in the elderly.