Final answer:
Left-sided heart failure is a condition where the left side of the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and fluid retention. Treatment involves managing symptoms and addressing the underlying causes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Left-sided heart failure is a condition where the left side of the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. This results in a rise in pressure entering the left side of the heart and a drop in aortal pressure. As a consequence, the body may not receive adequate oxygenated blood, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.
For example, in pulmonary edema, which occurs as a result of left-sided heart failure, there is excessive leakage of fluid into the lungs due to the inability of the left ventricle to pump sufficient blood into the systemic circulation.
Left-sided heart failure can be caused by various conditions, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and valvular heart disease. Treatment usually involves medications to manage symptoms and underlying causes.