Topic > They will increase in size to accommodate more and will function properly performing all the necessary roles. Case Study by Ian Right heart failure can also be caused by left heart failure. Although right heart pressure can be caused by respiratory diseases such as "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease", this could be due to high blood pressure from the arteries flowing to the lungs. Another cause could be a dysfunction or problem with one of the heart valves, such as a "congenital heart defect." For any case of right heart failure, it may be possible that strain or great pressure is placed on the circulatory system. This pressure can be from the heart to the veins, this pressure will cause swelling of the veins as well as other parts of the body, especially the legs and ankles. Enlargements in different parts of the body form because there is an excess of fluid in the body tissues; this condition is known as edema. Furthermore, other parts of the body are also affected, such as the digestive system.