Final answer:
Left-sided heart failure is an impairment in the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to blood backup in the left side of the heart and fluid buildup in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema.
Step-by-step explanation:
Left-sided heart failure refers to the condition where the left side of the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, leading to various complications. In describing left-sided heart failure to a patient, it is accurate to include that the pumping action of the heart is impaired, leading to decreased cardiac output to the systemic circulation. This impairment results in blood backing up in the left side of the heart and consequently into the lungs where extra fluid can build up, a condition known as pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema is known to cause difficulty in breathing and is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. It is essential to note that in left-sided heart failure, the filling action of the heart is typically not impaired; hence mentioning the filling action may not be as relevant in this context. The backup of blood and buildup of fluid primarily affect the lungs rather than the lower extremities which are more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure.