Heart Failure Overview

Left-Sided Heart Failure

• Occurs in conditions like mitral stenosis, mitral insufficiency, and aortic coarctation
• Left ventricle struggles to pump blood forward
• Blood backs up in the left atrium from the pulmonary circulation
• Heart becomes distended impacting systemic blood pressure
• Lowered cardiac output leads to pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary edema creates shortness of breath due to oxygen exchange interference
• Blood leaks into alveoli causing a blood-tinged cough
• Limited oxygen exchange elevates risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, or maternal death
• Fatigue, weakness, and dizziness.
• Placenta may not receive adequate blood flow due to restricted peripheral circulation
• Pulmonary edema worsens, preventing sleep without elevated chest and head support (orthopnea)

Right-Sided Heart Failure

• Right ventricle overwhelmed by blood from the vena cava
• Causes systemic venous congestion
• Reduced cardiac output impacts lung function
• Blood pressure lowers in aorta due to inadequate blood flow
• Blood pressure increases within the vena cava from the back pressure of blood
• Jugular distention and increased portal circulation are evident
• Enlarged liver and spleen result
• Liver enlargement, pressing against the diaphragm can cause dyspnea in a pregnant woman
• Fluid may leak from vessels , leading to abdominal or lower extremity edema.

This quiz covers the critical aspects of left-sided and right-sided heart failure. It examines how these conditions affect the heart's ability to pump blood and the resulting implications for systemic circulation and pulmonary health. Understand the symptoms, causes, and complications associated with heart failure.