What symptom is typically associated with left-sided heart failure?

Left-sided heart failure is commonly associated with pulmonary edema or fluid leakage into the lungs due to the heart's decreased ability to effectively pump blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle and then to the systemic circulation. When the left side of the heart fails, blood can back up in the pulmonary circulation, leading to increased pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. This pressure causes fluid to escape from the vessels and accumulates in the lung tissue, resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and increased respiratory effort, often characterized by a frothy sputum. Pulmonary edema is a critical condition resulting from left-sided heart failure and is a key indicator of this type of heart dysfunction.

In comparison, swollen extremities, chest pain, and low blood pressure may be associated with different types of heart failure or other cardiovascular issues, but they do not specifically indicate left-sided heart failure.