National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam 2026 - Free NPTE Practice Questions and Study Guide

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart is unable to pump effectively, leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and tissues. One of the hallmark symptoms of this condition is edema, which refers to the swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in the body's tissues. In CHF, the heart's inability to maintain an adequate cardiac output leads to increased pressures in the venous system, causing fluid to leak into interstitial spaces, resulting in peripheral edema (often seen in the legs and abdomen) and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).

While increased preload of the right heart and decreased cardiac output can relate to CHF, they are more physiological changes indicating the underlying issue rather than prominent symptoms. Additionally, stable arterial pressure is usually not characteristic of CHF; instead, dynamic changes often occur in blood pressure due to the heart's compromised function. The presence of edema is a clear and observable symptom frequently associated with congestive heart failure and is a direct result of fluid overload. Therefore, edema is the most well-established common symptom in this context.