Which sign is more typically associated with right-sided heart failure?

Which sign is more typically associated with right-sided heart failure?

• A. Orthopnea
• B. Pitting edema
• C. Pulmonary edema
• D. Chest pain

Answer: (B)

Right-sided heart failure causes a backup of blood into the systemic venous circulation, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure in peripheral tissues and fluid leaking into the interstitial space. This produces pitting edema, especially in the lower extremities, making it the classic sign of right-sided failure. Orthopnea, by contrast, stems from pulmonary congestion usually due to left-sided failure, so it’s not the typical right-sided sign. Pulmonary edema itself is a hallmark of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided. Chest pain isn’t a defining sign of heart failure and often points to other cardiac issues like ischemia. So, pitting edema best reflects the sign associated with right-sided heart failure.

Right-sided heart failure causes a backup of blood into the systemic venous circulation, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure in peripheral tissues and fluid leaking into the interstitial space. This produces pitting edema, especially in the lower extremities, making it the classic sign of right-sided failure. Orthopnea, by contrast, stems from pulmonary congestion usually due to left-sided failure, so it’s not the typical right-sided sign. Pulmonary edema itself is a hallmark of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided. Chest pain isn’t a defining sign of heart failure and often points to other cardiac issues like ischemia. So, pitting edema best reflects the sign associated with right-sided heart failure.