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HowToPreventHeartDisease.com |
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How Is Right-Side Heart Failure Different? In order to understand what heart failure is, perhaps one should look at the structure of heart. Heart is an important organ of human beings as it keeps the body running, just like an engine makes a car go. The heart has 2 sides, each with a top chamber (atrium) and a bottom chamber (ventricle). The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle which in turn distributes the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. The right atrium receives and pumps “used,” oxygen-poor blood from the veins and pumps to the right ventricle which sends the blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery, so it can be replenished with oxygen. When the heart is weakening, it cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker. This can disrupt all major body functions. Heart failure can also be caused by a thickened and stiff heart muscle. This type of heart failure occurs as a result of long-term hypertension and obesity. Although the heart muscle is not damaged or weak in this type of heart failure, it can be a very devastating condition if not treated. It is common among older people aged beyond 65. Heart failure can affect the left, the right, or both sides of the heart. Left-sided heart failure (LSHF) is most common type. It occurs when the left ventricle cannot pump efficiently, which prevents the body from getting sufficient oxygen-rich blood. The blood backs up into the lungs instead. Right-sided heart failure (RSHF) happens when the right side of the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the lungs.
RSHF often arises in conjunction with LSHF. But
sometimes, it may happen while the function of the left side of the heart
remains normal or nearly normal. RSHF usually occurs when pulmonary hypertension
is present. When the right ventricle finds itself having to pump against a high
pressure, it simply cannot work efficiently, and unless the elevated pressure is
relieved, RSHF ensues. Conditions that produce RSHF tend to fall into 3 general
categories: conditions that produce pulmonary hypertension, certain types of
valvular heart disease, and right ventricular heart attacks.
The most common causes of pulmonary hypertension leading to RSHF include LSHF, pulmonary embolus, chronic lung disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), congenital heart disease, and other causes including primary pulmonary hypertension, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, or various forms of vasculitis affecting the lungs. People who have myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) caused by a blockage in the right coronary artery may suffer from damage to the right ventricular muscle, producing RSHF. Any type of valvular heart disease whose chief effect is to increase the pressure within the right side of the heart, or to obstruct the flow of blood through the right side of the heart, can produce RSHF. Symptoms caused by RSHF include dyspnea (shortness of breath), weakness, easy fatiguability, and edema (swelling), quite similar to that caused by LSHF. Some of these symptoms can, however, be particularly severe. Dyspnea on very trivial exertion, extreme fatigue, and even lethargy can occur. The edema experienced by people with right-sided heart failure is often far worse: they can have edema of the thighs, abdomen, and even the chest. Moreover, RSHF can cause the liver to become swollen and painful. It can lead to severe fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, and significant loss of appetite can become a prominent symptom. People with RSHF can also suffer loss of consciousness. Life expectancy can significantly be reduced by RSHF if it cannot be adequately treated. Fortunately, a careful clinical examination should provide doctors with a strong clue as to the presence of RSHF. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram studies usually reveal elevated pulmonary artery pressure and may show valvular heart disease or disease affecting the cardiac muscle. These tests usually are sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of RSHF, though additional tests may sometimes be required to help ascertain the cause of RSHF. Date: February 6, 2020
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