Why do more heart attacks occur on the left side of the heart than on the right side of the heart?

Answer 1

Simple

Left side of the heart pumps to all parts of our body

Right pumps to the lungs at much lower pressure

so the right is doing much less work --> less oxygen demand --> less heart attacks

Answer 2

The previous answers are partially right.

The right side does pump deoxygenated blood to the lungs where oxygen binds with hemoglobin, then that blood goes to the left side, where it is pumped to the rest of the body.

In someone with major risk factors for heart disease--ie, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.--they have arteries that are either damaged by the cholesterol or diabetes, and/or tightened because of the high blood pressure effect on the kidneys (this is another story). It basically has to squeeze the same amount of blood through tighter tubes (the arteries).

So over time, the left side has to work harder. The muscle cells on that side get bigger to compensate, and this is called left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH.

But with more muscle, there is more oxygen demand. More oxygen demand means more blood (in the coronary arteries) has to flow to that side than the right. Heart attack occurs when there is less oxygen supplied to an area than is needed or demanded, as tissue begins to die since without oxygen not enough energy is made to keep it alive.

That is why most heart attacks occur on the left side. And why we want to treat high blood pressure, as well as the other risk factors.

Answer 3

Major pumping action of the heart is done on the left side. Right side is only supplementary.
Heart attacks most often affect the left ventricle, the pumping powerhouse of the heart. Damage to this chamber can significantly impair the heart's ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body, which may result in heart failure. Heart failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, where excess fluid causes further complications. As the lungs accumulate fluid, breathing becomes difficult.

Answer 4

because the left side supplies the body and the right side sends blood to the lungs. So the left side has a harder job to do and works harder, so to speak (in simple terms).

Answer 5

Because the heart is located on the left. Go to www.webmd.com and read all about heart and its functions, causes of problems and treatment options.