Know The Difference Between Right vs Left Heart Failure
- By Dr. Pramod Mane
- 19 Mar 2024
- Verified by Dr. Sintayehu Abebe
Key highlights or summary
- Heart failure can occur on the left side of the heart, the right side of the heart or on both sides.
- In left-sided heart failure, the left side of the heart is weakened resulting in reduced ability for the heart to pump blood into the body causing shortness of breath, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
- In right-sided heart failure, the right side of the heart is weakened and results in fluid in your veins, causing swelling in the legs, ankles, and liver.
- Heart failure can progress through four stages of the disease- A, B, C and D.
- The advanced left-sided heart failure leads to right-sided heart failure.
- Right heart failure and left heart failure both feel fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.
- Proper diagnosis and management are essential to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with heart failure.
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Frequently asked questions
Get the information you need.
Right heart failure affects the right side of the heart, leading to fluid buildup in the body, while left heart failure affects the left side, causing fluid buildup in the lungs.
Common symptoms include swelling in the legs and ankles, abdominal bloating, and fatigue.
Left heart failure can cause shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or while lying down, due to fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Lifestyle changes such as a low-sodium diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and managing stress can help manage heart failure.
Heart failure is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and tests such as echocardiograms, blood tests, and chest X-rays.
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