What is a common presentation of right-sided heart failure?

Right-sided heart failure often results in fluid accumulation in the body due to the inability of the right side of the heart to effectively pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation. This impaired function leads to a backward flow of blood, which causes swelling and fluid retention. Peripheral edema, characterized by swelling in the extremities such as the legs, ankles, and feet, is a hallmark symptom of this condition.

While shortness of breath can also occur, it is more commonly associated with left-sided heart failure, where fluid can back up into the lungs. Chest pain is not a typical presentation specific to right-sided heart failure but may occur in certain contexts related to coronary artery disease. Fatigue can be a symptom experienced in various types of heart failure due to decreased cardiac output, but it is not as directly associated with the specific mechanisms of right-sided heart failure as peripheral edema is. Therefore, peripheral edema stands out as the most characteristic and recognizable presentation of right-sided heart failure.