How Are Right & Left Heart Diseases Different?

This information was reviewed by Andrew Freeman, MD, and M. Patricia George, MD. (February 2022).

 

How Are Right & Left Heart Diseases Different?

How the Heart Works

Two hearts in one, working together in a continuous loop:

• A pump on the right.
• A pump on the left.
• An electrical system keeps your heart beating in a normal rhythm.

The right side of the heart picks up the oxygen-poor blood from the body and moves it to the lungs for cleaning and re-oxygenating.

The left side of the heart moves the re-oxygenated blood throughout the body so that every part receives the oxygen it needs.

 

What's the Difference?

Right-Sided Heart Disease (less common)

• High blood pressure in the lungs
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Infections
• Left-sided heart failure
• Chronic lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema 

Right-sided heart disease increases pressure in the lungs and is a common cause of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).

 

Left-Sided Heart Disease (most common)

• Coronary or heart artery disease (CAD)
• Heart attack
• Long-term high blood pressure

Left-sided heart disease decreases the ability to pump blood to the lungs for reoxygenation – causing blood to back up in the veins and the legs, ankles and abdomen to swell.

 

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Right-Sided Heart Disease

• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Dizziness, passing out with exertion

 

Left-Sided Heart Disease

• Shortness of breath with exercise or when lying down
• Sudden shortness of breath during sleep that wakes you

 

Both Right and Left Heart Disease

• Shortness of breath with exercise
• Palpitations
• Coughing
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Low energy
• Swelling (abdomen, legs)
• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Difficulty exercising
• Sudden weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, confusion

 

You Can Prevent Heart Disease

• Quit smoking & avoid secondhand smoke
• Keep other health conditions well managed
• Do aerobic exercise and strength training daily
• Eat fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, legumes, seeds & lean protein
• Limit bad fats, sodium, sugar & fatty proteins
• Avoid processed foods
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce and manage stress
• Get a good night’s sleep

 

Heart Disease Facts

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S.
• About 50% of Americans have a form of heart disease
• Most heart attacks happen on Monday
• Women develop pulmonary arterial hypertension 2-3 times more often than men
• 23.5 million people have sleep apnea, a cause of heart disease
• 80% of heart disease and stroke are preventable
• A person dies of heart disease every 36 seconds in the U.S.

Call 9-1-1 immediately when you are experiencing heart disease symptoms.