Which chronic condition is commonly associated with isolated systolic hypertension in elders?

Isolated systolic hypertension is particularly prevalent in the elderly population and is closely associated with arterial stiffness. As individuals age, the arteries become less elastic due to various factors such as atherosclerosis and changes in collagen composition. This loss of elasticity results in increased systolic blood pressure while diastolic pressure may remain stable or even decrease, leading to a widened pulse pressure.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it highlights the impact of aging on cardiovascular health. In isolated systolic hypertension, the primary concern involves the increased risk of cardiovascular events and complications that arise from the elevated systolic pressure, primarily attributed to arterial stiffness. While other chronic conditions may have an interplay with hypertension, the specific mechanism of arterial stiffness directly contributes to the development of isolated systolic hypertension in older adults.