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.