What Is Left-Sided Heart Failure?
Causes Left-sided heart failure occurs when the heart’s left side cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. Left-sided heart failure can occur as the result of a congenital heart defect, heart attack, heart infection, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism and alcoholism. Symptoms Left-sided heart failure may cause both blood and fluid to back up into the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath. Those individuals who smoke may cough up mucus. Individuals with left-sided heart failure will also experience fatigue because the body is not able to get enough oxygen to function normally. They also may have decreased urine output and fluid retention. Diagnosis Left-sided heart failure may first be indicated by the presence of heart murmurs or cracking sounds in the lungs. Diagnosis may be made using a combination of the following medical tests: blood tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiogram, coronary angiography, echocardiogram and a heart stress test. Treatment
