In coarctation of the aorta, the blood pressure is typically higher in which part of the body?

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Multiple Choice

In coarctation of the aorta, the blood pressure is typically higher in which part of the body?

Explanation:
A narrowing in the aorta creates high resistance to flow just after the arteries to the head and arms branch off. This causes pressure to rise upstream of the constriction, so the arms and upper body have higher systolic BP. Downstream of the narrowing, blood pressure in the legs drops and leg pulses may be weak. So the typical finding is higher blood pressure in the arms than in the legs.

A narrowing in the aorta creates high resistance to flow just after the arteries to the head and arms branch off. This causes pressure to rise upstream of the constriction, so the arms and upper body have higher systolic BP. Downstream of the narrowing, blood pressure in the legs drops and leg pulses may be weak. So the typical finding is higher blood pressure in the arms than in the legs.

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