What happens in right-sided heart failure?

In right-sided heart failure, the heart's ability to pump blood effectively through the lungs declines. As a result, blood does not get adequately pushed into the lungs for oxygenation. Instead, it begins to back up in the systemic circulation, which is the network of blood vessels that supplies the tissues and organs of the body. This accumulation of blood can lead to increased venous pressure in the peripheral circulation, resulting in symptoms such as edema (swelling) in the legs and abdomen.

In contrast, situations where blood backs up into the lungs are characteristic of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided. Normal pumping efficiency and enhanced pumping relate to scenarios where the heart functions correctly or improves in performance, which does not apply in the context of heart failure, specifically right-sided. Remembering these distinctions is important for a comprehensive understanding of cardiac function and failure.