Left- and right-sidedheart failureboth occur because heart muscles are weakened, and they cant work as effectively as before.
When this happens, tissues throughout the body are deprived of oxygen and other crucial nutrients.
However, these types of heart failure differ in how the condition affects the pumping ability of the heart.
Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health
It presents information about how treatment options differ, too.
Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health
What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure pops up if a person’s heart can’t pump enough blood to the body.
There are a number of possible causes, including certain medical conditions that can lead to heart failure.
What Is Left-Sided Heart Failure?
Left-sided heart failure is the most common key in of heart failure.
Without oxygen, tissues and organs throughout your body dont work as well or begin to lose their function.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath and fatigue are common, early symptoms of left-sided heart failure.
Sudden weight gain or swelling, especially in your limbs, are usually early signs of right-sided heart failure.
What Is an Ejection Fraction?
A normal ejection fraction is between 50% and 70%.
Organs like thekidneysrequire a certain amount of pressure as blood flows through them to work properly.
This is how heart failure can lead to multiple organ failure and even death.
Diastolic Failure
Diastolic heart failure is also known as heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction.
So while the blood is pushed out of the heart forcefully, not enough is pumped with each beat.
What Is Right-Sided Heart Failure?
Right-sided heart failure is most often caused byadvanced left-sided heart failure.
This heavier workload can lead to right-sided heart failure.
However, right-sided heart failure can also occur even when the left side of the heart is apparently normal.
However, right-sided heart failure is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the vessels leading to the heart.
This can cause swelling, mostly in the legs, genital area, and abdomen.
What if Both Sides of the Heart Fail?
In severe cases or advanced heart failure, both sides of the heart can be affected.
This is referred to as biventricular heart failure.
A number of medications may be used to increase the function of your heart.
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