How does positive feedback mechanism affect congestive heart failure?

Answer 1

Congestive heart failure simplified

: The lungs are a low-pressure system. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs under little resistance within the lungs. If the lungs fill with enough fluid to increase the lung resistance to blood pumped from the right ventricle, and this resistance exceeds the ability of the right side of the heart to overcome this increased pressure, the heart will decrease its output of blood. The decrease in the heart’s output of blood causes less blood to flow to the kidneys and the kidneys expel less fluid in the urine. This causes more fluid to build up in the blood and in the lungs. This increased fluid in the lungs exacerbates the pressure backup cycle. This cycle of one system leading to an increase in another in life systems is often a death cycle—scientifically referred to as a positive feedback cycle. If something is not done to bring homeostasis back, the system will fail...heart failure. The first line of treatment is often a diuretic to help the kidneys expel excess fluid.