Heart Failure.

[1NineZero4]

Hey there. I'm just looking for some advice for a friend. She's 20years old and was born with heart problems. She suffers with aortic insufficiency, pulmonary insufficiency, and has just been told she has the beginning symptoms of heart failure. What does this mean? Can she fully recover from this? She has fluid on her lungs too. Is there anything she can do to make herself feel better, as she often complains of quite a rapid pulse and pains in her chest. Thanks x

[kenkeith]

Aortic and pulmonary valve insufficiency indicates the heart valves don't close properly and blood flows back into the respective heart chambers. If moderate to severe, there is less blood pumped with each heartbeat and that can be a factor.    

Heart failure happens when the heart isn't pumping sufficient oxygenated blood due to weak contractions of the left ventricle.  When the heart fails to pump adequately the blood backs up into the lungs and fluids leak into the lungs causing edema...symptoms would be shortness of breath and dry coughing.  

She should see a cardiologist for the fluid in her lungs and a diuretic medication can help that condition.  I had lung edema from heart failure and it is not very pleasant experience...feels like I was breathing through a cloth and not getting enough air and coughing was just as bad.

Yes, there can be a full recovery depending on the underlying cause. There is effective therapy for heart patients so don't give up.