Question: Why is the left ventricle of the heart thicker and more muscular than the right ventricle, and what could happen if the left side fails to pump efficiently?

Gliday Yuka answered on 16 Jul 2025:

The left ventricle of the heart is thicker and more muscular than the right ventricle because it has to pump blood much harder to send it all over the body through the aorta. Think of the left ventricle like a super-strong pump that pushes blood to every part of you, from your brain to your toes. The right ventricle only pumps blood a short distance to the lungs, so it doesn’t need as much muscle. The left ventricle’s thicker walls (about 2-3 times thicker) handle the high pressure needed for this big job.

If the left ventricle fails to pump efficiently, a condition called left-sided heart failure, blood can back up into the lungs, causing pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). This makes it hard to breathe, and you might feel tired or weak because not enough oxygen-rich blood reaches your body. For example, someone with this issue might struggle to run or even walk without getting winded.