Which is a symptom of right-sided heart failure?

• A. Daily weight
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Orthopnea
• D. Crackles

Answer: (A)

Fluid retention from venous congestion is the hallmark of right-sided heart failure. The body accumulates fluid in the legs, abdomen, and other tissues, so gaining weight over a short period reflects this fluid buildup. Monitoring daily weight is a practical, sensitive way to detect decompensation and guide treatment, since a rapid rise usually signals worsening congestion.

The other signs pull more toward left-sided failure or pulmonary edema: shortness of breath arises from pulmonary congestion, orthopnea is classically due to lying flat worsening lung edema, and crackles come from fluid in the lungs. Thus, daily weight gain best reflects the systemic fluid retention characteristic of right-sided failure.