After MI, a patient shows jugular venous distention, weight gain, edema, and a heart rate of 108 beats/min. Which heart failure is suspected?

• A. Chronic HF
• B. Left-sided HF
• C. Right-sided HF
• D. Acute decompensated HF

Answer: (C)

Right-sided heart failure is suggested by signs of systemic venous congestion after a myocardial event. When the right ventricle cannot pump effectively, blood backs up into the venous system, raising central venous pressure. That produces jugular venous distention and leads to fluid accumulation in the body, causing edema and weight gain. The body often responds with tachycardia to maintain cardiac output.

In this scenario, the prominent findings are JVD, edema, and weight gain, with no clear pulmonary symptoms such as cough, crackles, or dyspnea that would point to left-sided failure. After an MI, right ventricular involvement is common and can cause isolated right-sided HF, which fits these signs best.

Left-sided heart failure would more likely present with pulmonary congestion (shortness of breath, orthopnea, crackles). Acute decompensated heart failure is a broader term and could involve either side, but the pattern here is systemic venous congestion without prominent pulmonary symptoms, pointing to right-sided failure.