Arterial stiffness and the development of hypertension

Evidence is accumulating in support of the plausible notion that lower arte rial elasticity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular dise ase manifestations. Conventional indices of arterial stiffness are compared to a newer method (blood pressure-adjusted pulsatile arterial diameter cha nge) in terms of blood pressure dependence. Impaired elasticity of larger a rteries is an antecedent factor in the natural history of blood pressure el evation at the population level. Strong evidence supports the notion that l ower arterial elasticity in the medium-sized arteries is associated with th e development of hypertension.