What Is Right-sided Heart Failure?

Right-sided heart failure is uncommon and is usually the result of heart failure on the left side of the heart.

The right side of the heart receives oxygen-depleted blood after its completed trip throughout the body. The blood enters the right atrium and is pumped into the right ventricle, which pumps the blood to the lungs to pick up more oxygen. The newly oxygen-rich blood is then sent out to the body again by the left side of the heart.

If the left side of your heart isn’t effectively moving blood along, it makes the right side work harder as blood and other fluids back up into your lungs and other organs.

At the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program, our goal is to slow the progress of heart failure so you can resume living your life. Our specialists will work with you to tailor a treatment plan that’s customized to your condition and your goals.

More patients with right-sided heart failure and other heart conditions entrust their care to Norton Heart & Vascular Institute than any other provider in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiologists and other specialists in the Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program are at the leading edge of sophisticated treatments.

Right-sided Heart Failure Symptoms

The symptoms of right-sided heart failure are largely the same as other types of heart failure and include fatigue, shortness of breath and persistent swelling.

Right-sided heart failure involves an inability to move along blood returning to the heart, so symptoms of fluid retention may be more prominent. These include

• Enlarged liver
• Fluid buildup in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite with abdominal pain

Right-sided Heart Failure Treatment

Treatment of right-sided heart failure depends on whether it is isolated, caused by high blood pressure in the lungs’ blood vessels or left-sided heart failure.

Medication typically includes diuretics to reduce fluid buildup in the body. Other medications may be used to better regulate the heart.

In severe cases, treatments can include a mechanical assistance for the heart.

The Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure and Recovery Program offers a new way to look at the management of heart failure and offers the latest in treatment options and monitoring technology. Our goal is to avoid putting you in the hospital. When you need care, we’ll try to get you home the same day.

Heart and Vascular Care for the Whole Person

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers patient resources to support you and your family, including free classes for people of all ages who are seeking to improve cardiovascular health or living with a heart condition.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Our cardiac rehabilitation providers are leaders in developing and applying innovative techniques that can help you recover and resume your life.

Connecting Hearts Support Group

The group provides education and support to individuals who have had a heart attack, are living with a heart condition or are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Heart Health Screenings

Prevention is the best way to manage heart disease, and screenings are available to detect early signs of cardiac and vascular disease and identify risk factors.

About Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

Every year, more than 137,000 people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Heart & Vascular Institute specialists for their heart and vascular care. That’s more than any other health care provider.

• Norton Healthcare’s adult-service hospitals in Louisville all have received Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). This is the seventh consecutive accreditation for all four hospitals, which ensures quality for the treatment of heart attack.
• Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital all are recognized as having ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation.
• Norton Healthcare has the most facilities across the city of Louisville with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack.

• You have access to more than 100 physicians and advanced practice providers with specialized training and experience in a comprehensive range of conditions and treatments.
• Patients can make appointments at 28 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana. Telecardiology is offered at more than 30 sites in the region.
• Norton Audubon Hospital, a key location for Norton Heart & Vascular Institute services, has been recognized with a HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence year after year by the American College of Cardiology. This is the only hospital in Louisville to be recognized for this distinction.
• Norton Audubon Hospital earned ventricular assist device (VAD) accreditation from DNV – Healthcare and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
• Communicate with your health care provider, renew prescriptions, get lab results and more through your free Norton MyChart account.