Which clinical sign may indicate congestive heart failure?

Peripheral edema is a clinical sign that may indicate congestive heart failure because it arises from the body’s inability to efficiently pump blood, leading to fluid buildup in the tissues. In congestive heart failure, the heart's reduced capacity to pump blood effectively causes blood to pool in the veins, which can result in increased hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries. This pressure causes fluid to leak into the interstitial spaces, leading to swelling in the limbs, particularly in the ankles and legs.

Peripheral edema is often one of the most visible signs of fluid overload, a key feature in patients with heart failure. It is commonly assessed during physical examinations and provides clinicians with critical information regarding the severity and progression of heart failure.

While fluid retention in the abdomen may also be associated with congestive heart failure, it is not as direct or immediate a sign as peripheral edema. Elevated heart rate and increased blood pressure can occur in various clinical conditions and are not specific indicators of congestive heart failure. Therefore, peripheral edema stands out as a more characteristic symptom of this condition.