RLO: Heart Failure

 

Left ventricular failure

Heart failure affecting the left side (that is left ventricular failure) leads to a fall in stroke volume and cardiac output that tends towards a reduction in arterial blood pressure and the development of pallor. The body attempts to compensate for this by raising the heart rate. The pulse it is fast, but because of low stroke volume it also feels weak or “thready”.

In addition, the left side of the heart is unable to “clear” blood flowing to it from the lungs and a “backlog” develops. This causes pulmonary hypertension (elevated blood pressure in the lungs) and fluid is forced out of the blood and into the alveoli – a condition called pulmonary oedema. Oedematous lungs are stiff to inflate and the patient experiences difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea). The irritating effect of fluid in the alveoli is responsible for cough.

This RLO has a spoken narration. NB: This animation has a spoken narration, so you'll need headphones or speakers.

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