What it means
When the left ventricleLEFT VEN-trih-kulThe heart's lower left chamber, which pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta and out to the body.Full entry pumps poorly, blood backs up into the lungs. Fluid then leaks into the air sacs, causing shortness of breath, orthopneaor-THOP-nee-uhDifficulty breathing when lying flat that eases when sitting or standing up.ortho- upright-pnea breathingFull entry , crackles, cough and, when severe, pulmonary edemaPUL-muh-nair-ee ih-DEE-muhA buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.pulmon/o lung-ary having to do withedema swelling with fluidFull entry . Less blood reaching the body causes tiredness, weakness and confusion. Common causes are heart attack, high blood pressure and valve disease. Over time it often leads to right-sided heart failureRYTE-sy-did hart FAYL-yurHeart failure in which the right ventricle cannot pump enough blood forward into the lungs.Full entry .
For the nurse
Raise the head of the bed, give oxygen and diuretics as ordered, listen to the lungs, weigh daily and limit sodium and fluids as ordered.
Remember it
Left goes to the lungs; right goes to the rest of the body.
At a glance
| Also written | left sided heart failure |
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Related terms
orthopnea
Difficulty breathing when lying flat that eases when sitting or standing up.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
pulmonary edema
A buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.
left ventricle
The heart's lower left chamber, which pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta and out to the body.
right-sided heart failure
Heart failure in which the right ventricle cannot pump enough blood forward into the lungs.