Let us begin the examination together by determining our patient's blood pressure. I am placing the stethoscope on the brachial artery, pumping up the cuff so that the pressure exceeds the systolic and slowly deflating. [ Korotkoff sounds] Our patient’s blood pressure is 110/90. The diastolic is borderline elevated and there is a narrow blood pressure.
Discussion
A narrow pulse pressure may be normal, but may also provide a clue to a diagnosis. A narrow pulse pressure may be present when there is a decreased stroke volume, as seen with hypovolemia and heart failure. It may also be present with obstruction to flow, as seen in aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis and pulmonary vascular obstruction.