True or False: Arteriosclerosis decreases arterial compliance causing increased pulse pressure.

Arteriosclerosis is characterized by the thickening and stiffening of arterial walls, which reduces their elasticity. As a result, the arteries are less able to expand and contract with each heartbeat. This decrease in arterial compliance, or the ability of blood vessels to stretch, leads to an increase in pulse pressure, which is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

When compliance decreases, the systolic blood pressure tends to rise more significantly than the diastolic blood pressure because the arteries cannot accommodate the volume of blood ejected during systole as effectively. This leads to a widening of pulse pressure. Increased pulse pressure has been associated with various cardiovascular risk factors and is a marker for cardiovascular disease, particularly in older adults or patients with hypertension.

Thus, the assertion that arteriosclerosis decreases arterial compliance and causes increased pulse pressure is indeed accurate.