Which of the following symptoms is most commonly associated with mitral regurgitation?

Mitral regurgitation often leads to a volume overload of the left atrium and subsequently the lungs, resulting in pulmonary congestion. Over time, this can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, particularly during exertion or when lying flat, as the increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs. This symptom is a direct consequence of the impaired blood flow dynamics associated with mitral regurgitation, making it one of the hallmark symptoms of the condition.

While chest pain, palpitations, and edema can occur in patients with mitral regurgitation, they are not as commonly associated with the condition as shortness of breath. Chest pain may arise from various causes, palpitations may result from atrial fibrillation due to the stretched left atrium, and edema can occur if heart failure progresses, but shortness of breath is the most prevalent and characteristic symptom due to the immediate effects on lung function.