In congestive heart failure, which ventricle's myocardium is most commonly affected?

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Multiple Choice

In congestive heart failure, which ventricle's myocardium is most commonly affected?

The left ventricle is most commonly affected. It bears the highest afterload because it must pump blood into the systemic circulation, so it is most susceptible to damage from conditions like long-standing hypertension or ischemic heart disease. When the left ventricle can’t pump effectively, blood backs up into the lungs, causing symptoms of left-sided heart failure, and this strain can later involve the right ventricle. The atria are not ventricles, and while the right ventricle can be involved in advanced or secondary forms (such as when pulmonary hypertension develops), the primary site of myocardial injury in congestive heart failure is the left ventricle.

The left ventricle is most commonly affected. It bears the highest afterload because it must pump blood into the systemic circulation, so it is most susceptible to damage from conditions like long-standing hypertension or ischemic heart disease. When the left ventricle can’t pump effectively, blood backs up into the lungs, causing symptoms of left-sided heart failure, and this strain can later involve the right ventricle. The atria are not ventricles, and while the right ventricle can be involved in advanced or secondary forms (such as when pulmonary hypertension develops), the primary site of myocardial injury in congestive heart failure is the left ventricle.

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