Why does age-related vascular stiffening increase systolic blood pressure more than diastolic blood pressure?

💡 Explanation

Vascular stiffening increases systolic pressure disproportionately because elastin degradation reduces arterial compliance, hindering expansion during systole, thereby increasing peak pressure. Reduced compliance has a greater effect on systolic, rather than diastolic, pressure; therefore, option D is correct. The other options do not directly explain the disproportionate increase.

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