Systemic hypertension is associated with which type of CHF?

Systemic hypertension is associated with which type of CHF?

• A. Left-sided CHF
• B. Right-sided CHF
• C. Biventricular CHF
• D. None

Answer: (A)

Systemic hypertension raises the afterload the left ventricle must pump against, so the LV undergoes concentric hypertrophy to cope with the higher pressure. Over time this leads to stiff, less compliant tissue and eventual dysfunction, raising left atrial pressures and backing up into the pulmonary veins. That pulmonary venous congestion manifests as the signs of left-sided heart failure, such as dyspnea and pulmonary edema. Right-sided failure is more commonly driven by lung disease or intrinsic right-ventricular problems, not systemic hypertension. Therefore, systemic hypertension is most closely linked to left-sided CHF.

Systemic hypertension raises the afterload the left ventricle must pump against, so the LV undergoes concentric hypertrophy to cope with the higher pressure. Over time this leads to stiff, less compliant tissue and eventual dysfunction, raising left atrial pressures and backing up into the pulmonary veins. That pulmonary venous congestion manifests as the signs of left-sided heart failure, such as dyspnea and pulmonary edema. Right-sided failure is more commonly driven by lung disease or intrinsic right-ventricular problems, not systemic hypertension. Therefore, systemic hypertension is most closely linked to left-sided CHF.