A woman, who has been suffering from marked hypertension for 15 years, has lately developed dyspnea, palpitations, slightly decreased systolic pressure, while diastolic pressure remains the same. What is the main mechanism of heart failure development in this case?

Answer options

1. Cardiac overload due to increased blood volume
2. Cardiac overload due to increased vascular resistance
3. Disorder of impulse conduction in the myocardium
4. Dysregulation of cardiac function
5. Damage to the myocardium

Explanation

An increase in systemic resistance results in a rise in diastolic blood pressure.