Which population is at a higher risk for developing right-sided heart failure?

The population that is at a higher risk for developing right-sided heart failure is older adults with hypertension. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart failure because it increases the workload on the heart, leading to changes in the structure and function of the heart over time. As individuals age, their blood vessels may become stiffer, and the overall prevalence of hypertension increases, further contributing to the risk of heart failure.

In older adults, chronic hypertension can lead to right-sided heart failure specifically due to conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, which can affect the right ventricle. Additionally, the aging process itself can bring forth other complications that further increase the likelihood of heart failure. This group is important to monitor due to the multifactorial nature of heart failure development, which can involve not just the heart but also the lungs and overall circulatory system. The complexity of comorbidities often found in older populations reinforces their susceptibility to heart failure as well.

By contrast, younger athletes are less likely to experience right-sided heart failure since their cardiovascular systems are typically more resilient and they maintain better physical conditioning. Pediatric patients generally have fewer instances of cardiovascular diseases leading to heart failure. Middle-aged individuals without comorbidities typically do not exhibit the same level of risk compared