NREMT Paramedic Practice

Right ventricular heart failure is most commonly associated with conditions that increase pressure or volume overload on the right ventricle. Chronic hypertension, particularly when it affects the pulmonary circulation, can lead to right ventricular failure. This occurs because elevated pressures in the lungs increase the workload on the right ventricle as it pumps blood into the pulmonary arteries. Over time, the right ventricle can become hypertrophied (thickened) and ultimately may fail as it struggles to maintain adequate cardiac output against the increased resistance. In contrast, cardiac tamponade can lead to cardiac failure but typically affects the entire heart rather than isolating it to the right ventricle specifically. Hypovolemic shock, due to decreased blood volume, often leads to decreased cardiac output but does not specifically overload the right ventricle. Cerebral hemorrhage primarily presents neurological implications and does not directly contribute to heart failure, although it can lead to secondary complications affecting overall cardiovascular function. Thus, chronic hypertension presents a more direct correlation causing right ventricular heart failure by augmenting the right ventricle's workload.