Common causes of right-sided congestive heart failure
Right-sided heart failure is a common heart condition. Right-sided heart failure affects the right ventricle of the heart. Congenital heart disease is one of the causes of this condition. Blood clots in the pulmonary artery are also etiologic agents. Disease of the heart valve is another cause of right-sided congestive heart failure. It has also been established that left-sided heart failure causes heart failure of the right side. Other common causes include conditions of the lungs, such as emphysema and bronchitis. Congestive heart failure that affects the right side of the heart involves the right ventricle losing its power to pump blood. Congestion happens because of blood that collects in various body parts. The right ventricle is so fragile that it is impossible to pump blood. The congestion spreads to affect vital organs and body systems like the limbs, the liver, and the GIT (Weinrauch & Zieve, 2008).
Disorders that typically result in right-sided failure
Disorders that mainly lead to right-sided congestive heart failure include arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease. Individuals with pre-existing pulmonary arrhythmia are more prone to developing congestive heart failure of the right side (Mann et al., 2002). Decrease in contractility of the heart muscles due to decrease in pressure in the pulmonary artery and the right ventricles also trigger right-sided CHF (Rich et al., 2008).
Classic signs and symptoms
Patients suffering from right-sided congestive heart failure have swollen feet and ankles. The heartbeat is usually fast and irregular. Another visible symptom is neck veins that are pronounced. Short breath also manifests in right-sided congestive heart failure patients. Patients may present with palpitations, fainting, and fatigue (Weinrauch & Zieve, 2008).
References
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Mann, J. K., Tager, I. B., Lurmann, F., Segal, M., Queensberry, C. P., Lugg, M. M., & Van Eeden, S. K. (2002). Air pollution and hospital admissions for ischemic heart disease in persons with congestive heart failure or arrhythmia. Environmental Health Perspectives, 110(12), 1247- 1252.
Rich, D. Q., Freudenberger, R. S., Ohman-Strickland, P., Yong, C., & Kipen, H. M. (2008). Right heart pressure increases after acute increases in ambient particulate concentration. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(9), 1167-1171.
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Weinrauch, L. A., Zieve, D. (2008). Right-sided heart failure. The New York Times. Web.