A 61-year-old man comes to the physician for a 6-month history of worsening shortness of breath on exertion. He takes no medications. Blood pressure is 140/90. BMI is 35. An S3 is auscultated on cardiac examination. ECG shows left-axis deviation. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient’s symptoms?
Decreased hydrostatic pressure
Decreased oncotic pressure
Decreased vascular permeability
Increased hydrostatic pressure
Increased oncotic pressure
Increased vascular permeability
