When the left ventricle can’t pump out enough blood, blood gets backed up in the lungs (behind the left ventricle), causing pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema is a build-up of fluid in the lungs. This fluid in the lungs makes patients wheeze, cough, and become short of breath. This excess fluid or congestion explains the term congestive heart failure. As the heart’s ability to pump decreases, blood flow slows down, causing fluid to build up in tissues throughout the body (edema). Edema is commonly noticed as swelling of the hands and feet. If it is prolonged, left-sided heart failure can eventually lead to right-sided heart failure.
The right atrium receives the “used” blood that re-turns to the heart through the veins; the right ventricle then pumps it into the lungs to be replenished with oxygen. When the right ventricle cannot pump out enough blood, it causes fluid to back up into the veins and capillaries of the body. Because of the back-up, fluid leaks out of the capillaries and builds up in the tissues, a condition called systemic edema. Edema is especially noticeable in the legs because gravity pulls the fluid into the lower half of the body. Right-sided or right ventricular (RV) heart failure usually occurs as a result of left-sided failure. When the left ventricle fails, increased fluid pressure is transferred back through the lungs, ultimately damaging the heart’s right side.
Victoria’s comment: My heart failure is left-sided. The left side of my heart is enlarged and doesn’t pump blood as effectively as before. I find that I get tired easily and that my legs swell up when I go off my diet or exercise too much.