In terms of blood flow, what characterizes a small pulse pressure?

A small pulse pressure characterizes low stress on small arteries due to the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure being relatively narrow. This indicates that the heart is not pumping blood forcefully enough to create a significant pressure differential across the arterial system. When pulse pressure is small, the arteries experience less strain and stress, allowing for more stable blood flow.

In contrast to the correct answer, high heart function, high arterial pressure, and increased oxygen consumption are typically associated with larger pulse pressures. High heart function can sometimes lead to increased pulse pressure due to greater cardiac output. High arterial pressure often results in wider pulse pressure as well, and increased oxygen consumption usually correlates with higher activity levels and cardiovascular demand which also affects the hemodynamics of blood flow. Thus, a small pulse pressure is best associated with low stress on the small arteries.