Heart Failure: Signs and Symptoms

We'll start with left-sided heart failure, where the left ventricle cannot pump blood

effectively to the body (systemic circulation) and therefore blood backs up into the lungs.

here are some key key signs and symptoms: Dyspnea (shortness of breath): where blood backs up into

pulmonary veins leading to increased pressure in lung capillaries where fluid leaks into

alveoli and impairs gas exchange. Orthopnea: When lying flat, venous return increases

and more blood goes to lungs whichworsens pulmonary congestion. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea: At night,

fluid redistributes from legs to lungs which leads to sudden shortness of breath during sleep.

Cough: Pulmonary edema causes irritation of airways and capillary rupture which leads to a cough.