Which symptom is more typical of right-sided heart failure rather than left-sided?

• A. Peripheral edema
• B. Pulmonary edema
• C. Dyspnea at rest
• D. Orthopnea

Answer: (B)

Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the systemic venous circulation, leading to congestion in tissues outside the lungs. The classic manifestation of this systemic congestion is peripheral edema, especially in the legs and feet, due to fluid accumulating in dependent areas. In contrast, left-sided heart failure backstreams into the lungs, producing pulmonary congestion and related symptoms such as shortness of breath, orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying flat), and pulmonary edema.

So the symptom that fits right-sided failure best is peripheral edema. The other options—pulmonary edema, dyspnea at rest, and orthopnea—are more characteristic of left-sided heart failure, reflecting fluid buildup in the lungs rather than in the peripheral tissues.