Congestive heart failure is defined as the combination of which?

• A. Left heart failure only
• B. Right heart failure only
• C. Both left and right heart failure
• D. Either left or right heart failure

Answer: (C)

Congestive heart failure refers to a state of venous congestion due to the heart’s reduced pumping ability. When the left ventricle fails, pressure backs up into the pulmonary veins and the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion and symptoms like dyspnea and edema in the lungs. When the right ventricle fails, pressure backs up into the systemic venous circulation, leading to peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, ascites, and neck vein distension. In practice, the congestive picture often involves both sides, with signs of pulmonary congestion from left-sided failure and systemic venous congestion from right-sided failure. That combination best matches the concept of congestive heart failure, making it the best choice.