Congestive heart failure can be described as right ventricular, left ventricular, or both: this distinction indicates which ventricle of the heart is weak.

Right ventricular congestive heart failure
Right ventricular congestive heart failure leads to a back up of blood into the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the lower extremities. Severe right ventricular heart failure can lead to condition called cor pulmonale.

Left ventricular congestive heart failure
Left ventricular heart failure leads to a build-up of fluid within the lungs. Isolated left ventricular congestive heart failure is more common than isolated right ventricular disease. Untreated and severe left ventricular congestive heart failure can eventually lead to right ventricular heart failure.

Bi-ventricular congestive heart failure
Both the right and left ventricles are affected. Severe left-sided heart failure can lead to bi-ventricular heart failure over time. Some conditions, such as a cardiomyopathy, often cause bi-ventricular heart failure.