Which finding is typically associated with left-sided heart failure?

Which finding is typically associated with left-sided heart failure?

• A. Orthopnea
• B. Pitting edema
• C. JVD
• D. Cool, diaphoretic skin

Answer: (A)

Left-sided heart failure leads to fluid backing up into the lungs, so breathing problems are the hallmark. Orthopnea—shortness of breath that worsens when lying flat because returning blood increases pulmonary congestion—best fits left-sided failure. Sitting up relieves the symptoms by reducing venous return and pulmonary edema. Pitting edema and jugular venous distension reflect systemic venous congestion and are more typical of right-sided heart involvement. Cool, diaphoretic skin suggests poor perfusion or shock, not a classic left-sided HF finding.

Left-sided heart failure leads to fluid backing up into the lungs, so breathing problems are the hallmark. Orthopnea—shortness of breath that worsens when lying flat because returning blood increases pulmonary congestion—best fits left-sided failure. Sitting up relieves the symptoms by reducing venous return and pulmonary edema. Pitting edema and jugular venous distension reflect systemic venous congestion and are more typical of right-sided heart involvement. Cool, diaphoretic skin suggests poor perfusion or shock, not a classic left-sided HF finding.