Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood as efficiently as it should. As opposed to the name of the condition, heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped, but if the condition occurs, seeking medical attention is of utmost importance.
Interestingly, there are various types of heart failure. Two primary ones include left-sided and right-sided heart failure. Each has its own characteristics and complications, which need to be differentiated for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Tanmay Kulkarni, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Jupiter Hospital, Pune, helps distinguish between the two types of heart failure and also shares ways to manage them.
Also Read: What Does It Mean To Have A Healthy Heart Rate? Expert Answers
What Is Right-Sided Heart Failure?
Right-sided heart failure occurs when the heart's right ventricle is unable to adequately pump blood to the lungs, says Dr Kulkarni. As a result, the blood arteries that return blood from the organs and tissue to the heart get clogged.
Explaining further, the doctor says that fluid may leak from veins into surrounding tissue as a result of the increased pressure inside the veins, which in turn leads to fluid accumulation in the legs and other organs, like the abdomen or belly.
What Is Left-Sided Heart Failure?
Left-sided heart failure occurs when the heart's left ventricle is unable to adequately circulate blood throughout the body. When this happens, blood accumulates in the blood vessels that transport blood from the lungs as a consequence. This results in breathlessness, or coughing, particularly when engaging in strenuous activity, according to Dr Kulkarni, who adds that the most prevalent kind of heart failure is left-sided heart failure.
Usually, left heart failure is caused by a heart attack, coronary artery disease (CAD), or persistently high blood pressure.
Symptoms Of Right-Sided Vs. Left-Sided Heart Failure
Different types of heart failure can lead to different symptoms.
For instance, people with left-sided heart failure may have breathing symptoms, including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, especially after exertion, shortness of breath when lying down, and resting on additional pillows at night, says Dr Kulkarni.
On the other hand, the typical symptoms of right-sided heart failure include palpitations, pain in the chest, shortness of breath, fluid retention, particularly in the lower body, and weight gain.
Know The Differences
When it comes to the distinguishing features of left versus right heart failure, Dr Kulkarni shares differences in the factors that cause each condition.
He says, “The common causes of left-sided heart failure include arrhythmia, chronically high blood pressure, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), heart attacks, and cardiomyopathies.”
On the other hand, right-sided heart failure can arise from advanced left-sided heart failure.
Certain lung conditions, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pulmonary embolisms, and high blood pressure in the lungs, can also occasionally be the reason, the doctor adds.
It is also important to note that right-sided heart failure typically develops as a consequence of left-sided heart failure, which is more prevalent.
According to the expert, obesity, diabetes, age, and family history are other risk factors that can lead to heart failure in general.
Treatment Options
“Heart failure cannot be cured,” says Dr Kulkarni.
However, the good news is that lifestyle modifications, medicines, and surgery can help manage symptoms and provide better results, he adds.
According to the expert, heart failure usually starts in the left ventricle, which is the lower left chamber of the heart. It is where the primary pumping chamber is located.
A person can sometimes develop both types of heart failure at the same time.
“Lifestyle changes that may help manage the condition include quitting smoking, achieving and/or sustaining a healthy weight, cutting back on salt intake, exercising regularly, restricting alcohol intake, maintaining a consistent sleep routine, discovering good coping mechanisms for stress, and controlling risk factors that contribute, such as blood pressure,” Dr Kulkarni shares.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any mental health issues to get the necessary treatment.]