Nurses Need Physiology: Right- vs. Left-sided Heart Failure
The correct answer and explanation is:
Right- vs. Left-Sided Heart Failure: Understanding the Differences
Correct Answer:
Right-sided and left-sided heart failure are two distinct forms of heart failure that affect different parts of the heart and have unique symptoms.
- Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle is unable to pump blood effectively to the body, leading to pulmonary congestion.
- Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood properly to the lungs, resulting in systemic venous congestion.
Explanation
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs or body. It is classified into left-sided and right-sided heart failure based on which part of the heart is failing.
Left-Sided Heart Failure:
Left-sided heart failure is the most common form and occurs when the left ventricle struggles to pump blood into systemic circulation. This leads to blood backing up into the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion. Patients may experience shortness of breath (dyspnea), pulmonary edema, orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying down), and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (waking up gasping for air).
Causes include hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and myocardial infarction.
Right-Sided Heart Failure:
Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood to the lungs, leading to a backlog of blood in systemic circulation. This causes peripheral edema (swelling in legs and feet), jugular venous distension (JVD), ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver).
Causes include left-sided heart failure, chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD), and pulmonary hypertension.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Left-Sided HF | Right-Sided HF |
|---|---|---|
| Affected Area | Left ventricle | Right ventricle |
| Main Symptoms | Pulmonary congestion, dyspnea | Peripheral edema, JVD |
| Primary Causes | Hypertension, CAD, MI | Left-sided HF, COPD |
Both conditions require medical intervention, including lifestyle changes, medications (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers), and sometimes surgical procedures.
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