Which side of the heart is predominantly affected when a patient presents with peripheral edema?

Peripheral edema is commonly associated with right-sided heart failure. The right side of the heart is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body and pumping it to the lungs for oxygenation. When the right heart is unable to pump effectively, blood can back up in the venous system, leading to increased hydrostatic pressure. This pressure causes fluid to leak out of the capillaries into the surrounding tissues, resulting in peripheral edema, which is most often observed in the lower extremities such as the legs and ankles.

In contrast, left-sided heart failure typically leads to pulmonary congestion and symptoms such as shortness of breath and orthopnea, rather than peripheral edema. While both sides of the heart can be involved in advanced heart failure, peripheral edema is most directly indicative of right-sided dysfunction. Thus, the predominant issue with peripheral edema is linked to the right side of the heart being unable to manage venous return efficiently.