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What does right-sided heart failure lead to?
Enlargement of the spleen
Lung congestion
Peripheral edema
Pulmonary hypertension
The correct answer is: Peripheral edema
Right-sided heart failure primarily affects the systemic venous return, leading to an accumulation of blood in the body's tissues. This results in peripheral edema, which manifests as swelling in the extremities such as the ankles and legs. The condition occurs due to the heart's inability to effectively pump blood forward, causing fluid to leak from the capillaries into the surrounding tissues. While enlarged spleen, lung congestion, and pulmonary hypertension can be associated with heart conditions, they are more closely related to issues arising from left-sided heart failure or secondary effects of right-sided heart failure over time. Peripheral edema is a direct and immediate consequence of right-sided heart failure, making it the most relevant answer in this context.