Right-Sided Heart Failure

The most important organ in the body and the center of the circulatory system is the heart. A normal, healthy heart is a strong muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system to all parts of the body. The heart consists of four chambers - two upper chambers or the atria and the two lower chambers or the ventricles. The main function of these four chambers is blood circulation. Fresh oxygenated blood from the lungs is transported to the body from the left atrium and ventricle. Oxygen depleted and used blood from the body is taken back to the lungs through the right atrium and ventricle. Sometimes due to infections and unhealthy lifestyle, the right side of the heart fails to perform its functions properly, leading to organ failure.

Right-sided heart failure, also known as right-sided congestive heart failure or right ventricular heart failure is a condition which occurs when the right side of the heart fails to perform its function of pumping blood efficiently. This is a chronic and progressive condition where the muscles of the heart weaken considerably and are unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's requirements. The deoxygenated blood flows back to other parts of the body resulting in congestion and right-sided stroke. This congestion may result in an enlarged heart, malfunctioning of the liver and also affects the gastrointestinal tract and the limbs. This heart disorder can be seen in about 1 in 20 people. Let's take a look at the causes, symptoms and methods for treating this life-threatening condition.

Causative Factors for Right-Sided Cardiac Malfunction

The cardiac muscle may fail to function properly due to the presence of some disorder. There are various causes of congestive heart failure that can be treated to ward off this disorder.

• Congenital heart disease
• Diseases in the valves of the heart
• Blood clots in the pulmonary artery
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Pulmonary hypertension
• High blood pressure
• Left-sided heart failure
• Diseases of the lungs like emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• Increased intake of salt
• Eating foods high in trans fat and cholesterol
• A condition called hyperthyroidism, which is also known as overactive thyroid gland

Indications of Heart Failure

Heart failure in the right side leads to an inefficiency in the circulation of blood. A few symptoms that indicate the presence of this disorder which affects the overall health of an individual are given below:

• Unintentional weight gain
• Water retention which leads to swelling of the hands and legs
• General body weakness and fainting spells
• Irregular heart beats, or arrhythmia and heart palpitations
• Prominent veins seen in the neck
• Anemia
• Unexplained fatigue

Treating Heart Failure

It is very necessary to diagnose this cardiac disorder in its early stages to prevent it from resulting in acute congestive heart failure, which can prove fatal. In order to diagnose the severity of this disorder, the doctor may advice the patient to undergo a series of tests like chest X-ray, echocardiogram, ECG, MRI and CT scans. The doctor may also take a blood test of the patient.

Once the severity of the condition is diagnosed the doctor may prescribe medications to treat the symptoms or any other underlying disorders. A periodic monitoring of the heart is also essential to provide treatment. Medications like ACE inhibitors, diuretics to reduce the accumulation of fluid in the body, beta blockers and digitalis, which help to strengthen the contraction of heart muscles are prescribed. In case of severe form of heart problem, the patient may have to undergo heart valve replacement or heart transplant surgery.

Right-sided cardiac failure is a chronic condition, that sometimes may lead to right -sided heart attack, which can be avoided with a healthy lifestyle including proper diet and exercise regimen and ample rest. Avoid bad habits like alcoholism and smoking for a healthy, disease free life. Take care!