Question

Write down the clinical findings which are least suggestive of left-sided heart failure?

Answer 1

Answer:

Adverse heart conditions do not occur in isolation. It is usually accompanied by other risk factors, like coronary artery dysfunction, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.    

In addition to the above, the following factors are indicative of left-sided heart failure:

• Shortness of breath caused by the collection of fluid in the lungs. Shortness of breath usually becomes pronounced upon physical exertion
• An increase in the girth of the torso (mainly the abdomen) due to ascites which is the buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
• engorged scrotum (in males of course)

Explanation:

Left-Sided Heart Failure is simply the inability of the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood into the body.

Blood filled with oxygen is moved from the lungs to the atrium on the left and then to the left ventricle. The blood is then pumped from the ventricle on the left to other parts of the body by a contracting and relaxing action. Left-sided heart failure can be classified into two:

1. Systolic Failure and
2. Diastolic Failure

1. Systolic Dysfunction: When the left ventricle can no longer shrink properly, the pressure with which the heart can pump enough blood into circulation is reduced.

2. Diastolic Dysfunction: This occurs when the left ventricle can no longer relax as it ought to due to the hardening of the muscle.

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