Which of the following symptoms is associated with right-sided heart failure?

Right-sided heart failure is characterized by symptoms that reflect the inability of the right ventricle to pump blood effectively, leading to a backlog of blood in the systemic circulation. Pitting edema, ascites, hepatic enlargement, and jugular venous distension (JVD) are all classic manifestations of this condition.

Pitting edema occurs because fluid accumulates in the body's tissues due to increased venous pressure, while ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, is a result of the same pressure buildup. Hepatic enlargement signifies that blood is not being effectively returned to the heart, causing congestion in the liver. JVD is a direct indication of elevated pressure in the right atrium, which can be observed when patients exhibit signs of right-sided heart failure.

In contrast to this, the other symptoms listed are more typically associated with conditions unrelated to right-sided heart failure. Shortness of breath and chest pain are often indicative of left-sided heart failure or other cardiac issues. Severe headache and blurred vision may suggest increased intracranial pressure or issues like hypertension, and rapid heart rate with increased thirst could point to volume depletion or systemic responses to other medical conditions. Thus, the symptoms specific to right-sided heart failure effectively differentiate it from other cardiac