Left-sided heart failure

Question

How does left-sided heart failure impact preload, afterload, and contractility?

Answer 1

When a person experiences left-sided heart failure, the body attempts to compensate for this failure by increasing the preload -- or blood fill -- of the heart. This in turn increased contractility and afterload of the heart. This puts an extra workload on the heart. It also increases fluid volume and often results in edema of the extremities.