Which statement best describes the effect of chronic hypertension on pulse pressure?

• A. Decreased pulse pressure
• B. No change in pulse pressure
• C. Increased pulse pressure
• D. Variable pulse pressure independent of hypertension

Answer: (C)

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and it reflects how stretchy the arteries are and how much the pressure rises with each heartbeat. When hypertension becomes chronic, the arteries undergo remodeling and become stiffer. This reduced arterial compliance means the systolic pressure tends to rise more than the diastolic pressure, so the gap between them widens. That widening shows up as an increased pulse pressure. This is common in long-standing high blood pressure and helps explain why pulse pressure can be elevated in these patients.