Which symptom is associated with right side heart failure?

Fluid buildup in the extremities is a hallmark symptom of right-sided heart failure. This occurs because the right side of the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs for oxygenation. When the right ventricle fails to function effectively, it can no longer efficiently pump blood returning from the body. As a result, blood can back up in the systemic circulation, leading to increased pressure in the veins and causing fluid to leak out into the surrounding tissues. This typically manifests as swelling (edema) in areas such as the legs, ankles, and feet.

In contrast, symptoms like shortness of breath and pulmonary edema are more commonly associated with left-sided heart failure, as they relate to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Coughing can occur in both sides of heart failure but is not specifically indicative of right-sided failure. Thus, the presence of fluid buildup in the extremities clearly points to right-sided heart failure as the underlying issue.