Which risk increases as arterial stiffness rises in hypertensive patients?

💡 Explanation

Elevated arterial stiffness increases the pressure against which the left ventricle must pump, termed afterload, because the heart must work harder to eject blood into the aorta. Therefore, the risk of increased afterload on the heart increases, rather than decreased glomerular filtration or reduced nerve conduction, which are less directly related to arterial compliance.

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