What is a key characteristic of right-sided congestive heart failure?

A key characteristic of right-sided congestive heart failure is fluid retention in the lower extremities and abdomen. This condition occurs when the right ventricle of the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation. As a result, blood backs up in the systemic circulation, leading to increased venous pressure. This increased pressure ultimately causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into surrounding tissues, resulting in edema, particularly in the legs, ankles, and abdomen (ascites).

In contrast, fluid retention in the lungs is associated with left-sided heart failure, where pulmonary congestion occurs due to the left ventricle's inability to pump blood effectively to the body. Decreased blood flow to the brain can be a symptom in various types of heart failure but is not specific to right-sided heart failure. Hypertension may contribute to heart failure but is not a defining characteristic of right-sided failure itself. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately diagnosing and managing heart failure in patients.