How Congestive Heart Failure Develops: Right and Left Side
Understand how congestive heart failure develops on the right and left sides of the heart, the fluid buildup it causes, and symptoms that need a doctor.
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How Congestive Heart Failure Develops
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's ability to pump weakens, so it can no longer supply the body with blood in the normal or required amount. Note that congestive heart failure does not mean the heart stops beating.
The human heart has four chambers: the right and left ventricles at the bottom, and the left and right atria at the top. Based on which side of the heart is affected, the process behind congestive heart failure falls into two types:
How Right-Sided Congestive Heart Failure Develops
Right-sided congestive heart failure occurs when the right ventricle has trouble pumping blood to the lungs. As a result, blood backs up into the veins. This causes fluid to build up in parts of the body, such as the legs and abdomen. That is why people with congestive heart failure commonly have swelling as a symptom.
Right-sided heart failure usually starts as failure on the left side. When the lungs are under excess pressure, the right side of the heart weakens and can no longer pump blood to the lungs.
Read also: Why More People Go to Heart Hospitals Abroad for Treatment
How Left-Sided Congestive Heart Failure Develops
Left-sided congestive heart failure begins when the left ventricle stops working. The left ventricle is supposed to send blood from the heart to the whole body through the aorta, and on into the arteries.
When the left ventricle cannot work as it should, pressure rises in the left atrium and in the blood vessels around it. This triggers pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Besides the lungs, fluid can also collect in the legs or abdomen.
Reduced blood flow affects kidney function, which can in turn damage the kidneys. The body starts holding on to more salt and water than it needs.
Left-sided congestive heart failure can also be caused by the left ventricle's inability to relax. This inability causes blood to pool, because the heart has to push back against pressure to refill its chambers.
If you notice symptoms of heart failure such as short, rapid breathing, tiring easily, an irregular heartbeat, frequent urination, or sudden, dramatic weight gain, get checked by a doctor or the nearest health facility right away. One cardiologist with expertise in heart failure is Dr. Denio Ridjab, who now practices at Heartology Cardiovascular Center. Dr. Ridjab is a cardiologist with a subspecialty in interventional cardiology and years of experience treating heart disease.
By understanding how congestive heart failure develops, you should be better prepared for symptoms that may appear, so they can be treated early.
