What is the most common cause of right heart failure?

The most common cause of right heart failure is left heart failure. This condition often occurs when the left side of the heart fails to pump effectively, leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. As a result, fluid backs up into the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion. This increased pressure can strain the right side of the heart, which must work harder to pump blood into the lungs. Over time, this can lead to right heart failure as the right ventricle becomes overwhelmed by the disease process stemming from the left heart.

Understanding the interdependence of the heart's chambers is crucial in this context. The heart functions as a unit, so when one side fails, it directly affects the other. Left heart failure can lead to decreased cardiac output, leading to compensatory mechanisms that ultimately further strain the right ventricle. This illustrates the cascade of heart failure progression, where issues in one part of the heart can precipitate failure in another part.