Which heart condition often presents with symptoms similar to those of congestive heart failure?

Mitral regurgitation is a condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts. This leads to increased pressure in the left atrium and subsequently in the pulmonary circulation. As a result, patients may experience symptoms characteristic of congestive heart failure (CHF), such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. The backward flow of blood increases the volume and pressure in the pulmonary veins, leading to pulmonary congestion, which is a hallmark of CHF.

In contrast, while aortic regurgitation can also lead to heart failure symptoms, it typically presents with different clinical features and may take longer to develop symptoms due to the gradual nature of the condition. Pericarditis may present with chest pain and specific findings on physical examination, such as a pericardial friction rub, but not necessarily the fluid retention and respiratory symptoms typical of congestive heart failure. Cor pulmonale, which refers to right heart failure due to lung disease, can exhibit similar symptoms but is more specific to respiratory conditions rather than a primary heart valve disorder affecting the left side of the heart. Thus, mitral regurgitation is the condition most directly related to the typical symptoms