West Coast EMT Block One Exam

During a physical assessment, a patient's elevated blood pressure is primarily influenced by which factor in older adults?

1. Increased arterial stiffness

2. Higher metabolic rate

3. Increased fluid volume

4. Enhanced cardiac output

The correct answer is: Increased arterial stiffness

Elevated blood pressure in older adults is primarily influenced by increased arterial stiffness, a common physiological change that occurs with aging. As individuals age, the arteries tend to become less elastic due to structural changes in the arterial walls, including the accumulation of collagen and other factors like atherosclerosis. This stiffness means that the arteries cannot expand as freely during the heart's contraction, leading to higher pressure in the arterial system. This factor is significant because arterial stiffness directly impacts the systolic blood pressure, which tends to rise as the arteries resist the normal fluctuations of blood flow from the heart. The other factors listed, while they can influence blood pressure, are not as directly associated with the aged population or as impactful in the context of overall arterial health in older adults. For instance, although higher metabolic rates can influence blood pressure, they generally do not have the same direct correlation in the context of aging as arterial stiffness does.