What does a higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) indicate about a patient?

A higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is indicative of better elastic recoil of the arterial walls. Diastolic pressure is the force exerted by blood against artery walls during the resting phase of the heart, which follows the contraction (systole). When the arterial walls are healthy and exhibit good elasticity, they are able to maintain pressure more effectively during this resting period, resulting in a higher diastolic pressure.

This elasticity is crucial for ensuring continuous blood flow to organs and tissues even when the heart is not actively pumping. When the elastic recoil is diminished—often due to factors like aging or atherosclerosis—diastolic pressure may drop, indicating less capability to maintain blood flow during the heart's relaxation phase.

The other choices relate to different cardiovascular dynamics and conditions. Higher blood volume, increased cardiac output, and larger heart size can contribute to changes in blood pressure but do not specifically reflect the elasticity of the arterial walls, which is what the diastolic pressure primarily measures. Thus, a higher DBP implies a favorable condition related to the elastic properties of the vasculature.