How your heart works Blood returns from the veins to the right side of your heart. It is then pumped to your lungs to pick up oxygen on its way to the left side of your heart. The left heart pumps the blood out to your body arteries through the main artery (aorta). If your heart failure is due to pumping weakness, it may start in the right or left side of your heart. But soon both left and right sides are strained.
right heart failure When the right side of your heart has a pumping problem, blood backs up in your veins. You may not notice it, since veins can stretch and hold the extra blood. Days or maybe weeks later, you may notice that your legs and ankles are swollen. You may also feel sore or swollen in the upper right side of your belly. And you may feel tired and not want to eat.
swollen belly
veins
swollen ankles
6