What term describes a pulse pressure wider than normal (above 50% of systolic pressure)?

• A. Narrow Pulse Pressure
• B. Widened Pulse Pressure
• C. Capillary Pressure
• D. Blood Pressure

Answer: (B)

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. When this difference is larger than normal—specifically when it exceeds about half of the systolic pressure—you describe it as a widened pulse pressure. The correct term for this finding is widened pulse pressure. This can occur with stiff arteries or conditions that raise stroke volume, such as anemia or aortic regurgitation, among others. Narrow pulse pressure would be the opposite, meaning a small difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. Capillary pressure isn’t the term used for this concept, and blood pressure refers to the overall systolic/diastolic values, not the difference between them.