What is a common assessment finding in a patient with left-sided heart failure?

In left-sided heart failure, the left ventricle fails to efficiently pump blood into the systemic circulation, which leads to a backlog of blood in the lungs. This congestion causes fluid to accumulate in the pulmonary circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion. Patients often experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, especially when lying down, as well as a cough that may produce sputum tinged with blood.

The presence of pulmonary congestion is a hallmark of left-sided heart failure, making it an essential finding during assessment. This condition is typically associated with symptoms related to lung function due to the increased pressure in the pulmonary capillaries and alveoli. Therefore, recognizing pulmonary congestion is critical for diagnosing and managing left-sided heart failure and differentiating it from right-sided heart failure, which is more associated with systemic congestion symptoms such as peripheral edema and hepatomegaly.