Which symptom is a typical sign of right-sided heart failure?

Which symptom is a typical sign of right-sided heart failure?

• A. Peripheral edema
• B. Orthopnea
• C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
• D. Pulmonary crackles

Answer: (A)

Right-sided heart failure primarily causes systemic venous congestion. When the right ventricle fails to move blood efficiently into the pulmonary circulation, fluid backs up into the body, most noticeable in dependent areas like the legs and feet, leading to peripheral edema. Left-sided failure, by contrast, raises pressures in the lungs, producing orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and pulmonary crackles due to pulmonary edema. So while both sides can be involved, the hallmark symptom pointing to right-sided failure is peripheral edema.

Right-sided heart failure primarily causes systemic venous congestion. When the right ventricle fails to move blood efficiently into the pulmonary circulation, fluid backs up into the body, most noticeable in dependent areas like the legs and feet, leading to peripheral edema. Left-sided failure, by contrast, raises pressures in the lungs, producing orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and pulmonary crackles due to pulmonary edema. So while both sides can be involved, the hallmark symptom pointing to right-sided failure is peripheral edema.