Final answer:
Heart rate is often fast, or tachycardia, in pulmonary edema due to the body's response to maintain adequate circulation when the left ventricle cannot pump sufficient blood, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries. Pulmonary edema requires immediate medical attention as it affects gas exchange in the lungs and can be life-threatening.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cases of pulmonary edema resulting from heart failure, the heart rate can often be fast, or in medical terms, show tachycardia. This is because when the left ventricle of the heart cannot pump sufficient blood into the systemic circulation, it can lead to a buildup of blood in the lungs, causing fluid to leak into the lung tissues. The body responds to this condition by increasing the heart rate in an attempt to maintain adequate circulation. Thus, a patient with pulmonary edema may have a heart rate that is higher than the normal resting range of 60-100 beats per minute.
Excessive leakage of water in the pulmonary capillaries is due to increased hydrostatic pressure, which is a consequence of the blood getting backed up in the pulmonary circulation. Such heart-related pulmonary edema is a serious condition that compromises gas exchange in the lungs and requires immediate medical attention due to potential life-threatening respiratory distress and associated symptoms like difficulty breathing and chest pain.