Heart failure most commonly starts in the left side, particularly the left ventricle, as it's the main chamber pumping blood to the body, and problems like high blood pressure or heart attack often weaken it first, causing fluid backup into the lungs (shortness of breath) and eventually leading to right-sided failure.
Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle of the heart is weakened and cannot as efficiently pump blood into the body. As a result of the diminished ejection fraction, fluid can flow back into the lungs and put additional stress on the right side of the heart. This can lead to right-sided heart failure.
In most heart failure patients, the condition begins on the left side. Left sided heart failure then causes right sided heart failure over time. Other potential causes of right sided heart failure, which are less common, include chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and heart valve issues.
(That is a good reason to have regular checkups with your health care professional.) Heart failure can involve the heart's left side, right side or both sides. However, it usually affects the left side first. Read more about the types of heart failure.
Other risk factors for left-sided heart failure include:
The main way that the types of heart failure can impact your daily life is that left-sided heart failure tends to be accompanied by more pulmonary symptoms, such as pulmonary edema, while right-sided heart failure tends to result in more systemic symptoms, such as edema.
People 65 years or older have a higher risk of heart failure. Older adults are also more likely to have other health conditions that cause heart failure.
The left side of the heart is crucial for normal heart function and is usually where heart failure begins.
Right-sided, or right ventricular, heart failure often happens due to left-sided failure. When the left ventricle fails and can't pump enough blood out, increased fluid pressure is pushed back through the lungs. This damages the heart's right side.
Symptoms of heart failure may include:
Sleeping on Your Left or Right Side
“In healthy individuals, the heart and vascular system can adapt to these conditions and function normally,” he says. “For most people, there is no particular sleep position for optimal heart health.”
Some will improve with treatment and lifestyle changes. For others, cor pulmonale can be life-threatening; and severe symptoms may require a heart transplant or implant of a ventricular assist device.
Generally, heart failure begins with the left side — your heart's main pumping chamber. Not all conditions that lead to heart failure can be reversed, but treatments can improve the signs and symptoms of heart failure, and help you live longer.
Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping power source, is gradually weakened. When this occurs, the heart is unable to pump oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart's left atrium, into the left ventricle, and on through the body, causing the heart to work harder.
Life expectancy can vary depending on factors like age, medical history, and treatment options. On average, life expectancy is about two years after diagnosis of heart failure. In Stage D heart failure, life expectancy is typically less than a year.
Heart failure usually begins with the lower left heart chamber, called the left ventricle. This is the heart's main pumping chamber. But heart failure also can affect the right side. The lower right heart chamber is called the right ventricle.
Left-sided heart failure is the most common type of heart failure. It is usually caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), a heart attack or long-term high blood pressure.
As a result, fluid leaks into the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling. Swelling associated with heart failure is usually bilateral, meaning it affects both legs symmetrically.
Left sided heart failure is worse and more common than right sided heart failure. Right sided heart failure impairs the heart's ability to pump blood to the lungs. Left sided heart failure reduces circulation in the entire body because the left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber.
The blood gas exchange disorder and decreased cardiac output caused by pulmonary congestion and edema in chronic heart failure inevitably lead to a decrease in oxygen partial pressure and oxygen saturation.
Pain due to heart problems is usually felt in the chest, although it can be located anywhere between the upper abdomen (upper trunk) and throat, including the arms and shoulders. It can be experienced as discomfort, pressure, gas, or a burning or aching feeling.
It's very important to take good care of yourself if you have heart failure.