Which symptom is commonly associated with left-sided congestive heart failure?

The symptom of coughing with pink frothy sputum is commonly associated with left-sided congestive heart failure due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary congestion or pulmonary edema. In left-sided heart failure, the heart's left ventricle fails to efficiently pump blood, leading to elevated pressures in the pulmonary veins. This pressure causes fluid to leak into the alveoli in the lungs, resulting in symptoms such as cough and sputum that may appear pink and frothy due to the mixing of air with fluid and blood.

In contrast, the other options denote conditions typically associated with other issues. Swelling in the extremities is more commonly linked with right-sided heart failure due to fluid accumulation in the peripheral tissues. Distended neck veins are also indicative of right-sided heart failure or fluid overload but are not characteristic of left-sided failure. Increased appetite does not pertain to congestive heart failure and, in fact, many patients may experience a decrease in appetite due to discomfort or gastrointestinal symptoms associated with heart failure.