Ventricular septal defect most commonly presents with which feature due to congestive heart failure?

Ventricular septal defect most commonly presents with which feature due to congestive heart failure?

• A. Hypertension
• B. CHF with SOB/edema
• C. Palpitations
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (B)

A ventricular septal defect that is large enough to cause congestive heart failure creates extra blood flow to the lungs (left-to-right shunt). This pulmonary overcirculation leads to volume overload of the heart and lungs, and the resulting congestive heart failure manifests most notably as shortness of breath and edema. Those symptoms reflect fluid buildup from heart failure. Hypertension isn’t a typical feature of VSD with CHF, and while palpitations can occur, they’re not the classic presentation in this scenario. Weight gain can occur with fluid retention but SOB with edema best captures the CHF picture.

A ventricular septal defect that is large enough to cause congestive heart failure creates extra blood flow to the lungs (left-to-right shunt). This pulmonary overcirculation leads to volume overload of the heart and lungs, and the resulting congestive heart failure manifests most notably as shortness of breath and edema. Those symptoms reflect fluid buildup from heart failure. Hypertension isn’t a typical feature of VSD with CHF, and while palpitations can occur, they’re not the classic presentation in this scenario. Weight gain can occur with fluid retention but SOB with edema best captures the CHF picture.