Question

Mr. Lacey is a 72-year-old patient with heart failure that has been stable for the past 10 years. His signs and symptoms included: +1 bilateral lower leg swelling, visibly enlarged jugular neck veins, and crackles bilaterally in the lower lobes of his lungs. This morning he has a weight gain of 6 pounds over the last 2 days as well as increased shortness of breath. His currently prescribed drugs include captopril (Capoten) 25 mg twice a day and furosemide (Lasix) 20 mg once a day

Which type of heart failure is suggested by Mr. Lacey’s symptoms? (Right-sided, left-sided, or Both). Fully explain this answer, and give the rationale for your choice.

Answer 1

As per the symptoms mentioned in the question, the type of heart failure might be right sided.

Because, the right side heart failure has symptoms of gaining weight, shortness of breath, enlarged jugular vein and edema in leg. While in left sided heart failure, there is no sign of jugular vein enlargement and weight gain. Furosemide is a loop diuretic drugs, that reduces the edema and weight gain caused due to accumulation of fluid in the body. Captopril is given to reduce the hypertension.