How does ageing affect pulse pressure?

Options:
explanation: This is correct. Ageing is associated with a loss of elastin from the walls of the blood vessels, making them stiffer and less elastic. Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Lower vessel elasticity means the arteries cannot absorb the force from the heart contraction as well and hence the systolic pressure increases. This also means the arteries cannot recoil as well during diastole, giving a lower diastolic pressure. Overall, a loss of elastic therefore gives a larger pulse pressure.
name: Increases pulse pressure due to a loss of elastin
label: a
answer: yes
explanation: This is incorrect. Ageing is associated with a loss of elastin from the walls of the blood vessels, making them stiffer and less elastic. Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Lower vessel elasticity means the arteries cannot absorb the force from the heart contraction as well and hence the systolic pressure increases. This also means the arteries cannot recoil as well during diastole, giving a lower diastolic pressure. Overall, a loss of elastic therefore gives a larger pulse pressure.
name: Decreases pulse pressure due to a drop in nitric oxide levels
label: d
answer: no
explanation: This is incorrect. Whilst ageing is associated with a loss of elastin, this results in an increased pulse pressure. The loss of elastin results in the arteries becoming stiffer and less elastic. Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Lower vessel elasticity means the arteries cannot absorb the force from the heart contraction as well and hence the systolic pressure increases. This also means the arteries cannot recoil as well during diastole, giving a lower diastolic pressure. Overall, a loss of elastic therefore gives a larger pulse pressure.
name: Decreases pulse pressure due to a loss of elastin
label: b
answer: no
explanation: This is incorrect. Ageing is associated with a loss of elastin from the walls of the blood vessels, making them stiffer and less elastic. Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Lower vessel elasticity means the arteries cannot absorb the force from the heart contraction as well and hence the systolic pressure increases. This also means the arteries cannot recoil as well during diastole, giving a lower diastolic pressure. Overall, a loss of elastic therefore gives a larger pulse pressure.
name: There is no change to the pulse pressure
label: e
answer: no
explanation: This is incorrect. Whilst ageing is associated with an increased pulse pressure, this is due to a loss of elastin, not a a drop in nitric oxide levels. The loss of elastin results in the arteries becoming stiffer and less elastic. Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Lower vessel elasticity means the arteries cannot absorb the force from the heart contraction as well and hence the systolic pressure increases. This also means the arteries cannot recoil as well during diastole, giving a lower diastolic pressure. Overall, a loss of elastic therefore gives a larger pulse pressure.
name: Increases pulse pressure due to a drop in nitric oxide levels
label: c
answer: no

Correct answer: a