What is a main effect of left-sided heart failure?

In left-sided heart failure, one of the primary effects is that blood cannot be effectively pumped out of the left ventricle. This leads to an increase in pressure within the left atrium and ultimately results in blood backing up into the pulmonary circulation. The congestion in the lungs can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and pulmonary edema. The backup occurs because while the left side of the heart is unable to eject blood efficiently into the systemic circulation, the return of blood from the lungs continues, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the pulmonary tissues.

Other answers do not correctly represent the consequences of left-sided heart failure. Options relating to increased blood flow to the limbs or decreased pulmonary congestion are misleading since left-sided heart failure characteristically leads to fluid overload in the lungs rather than enhancing blood flow elsewhere. Additionally, lower systemic vascular resistance is typically not a feature of left-sided heart failure; in fact, systemic vascular resistance can often increase as the body attempts to maintain blood pressure despite the failing heart.