What effect does increased intracranial pressure have on pulse pressure?

Increased intracranial pressure typically results in a widening or increase in pulse pressure due to the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. When intracranial pressure rises, it can lead to hypertension because the body responds to maintain adequate cerebral perfusion. This increase in systemic blood pressure, particularly the systolic pressure, often does not result in a similar increase in diastolic pressure, thereby widening the pulse pressure.

As cerebral blood flow needs to be preserved despite the rising pressure within the skull, the heart compensates by increasing the systolic pressure while the diastolic pressure may remain relatively unchanged or increase less dramatically. This physiological response creates a broader gap between the systolic and diastolic pressures, reflecting the increased pulse pressure that can be observed in clinical situations where intracranial pressure is elevated.