Heart Valve Issues: Symptoms, Risks, and Management Strategies - Cardiology

In severe cases, the heart may race very quickly, and there can be significant discomfort in the chest, headaches, dizziness, overall weakness, difficulty breathing, throat discomfort, and feelings of nausea?

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I did not have these symptoms at first.
About a month before I enlisted in the military, when I lay down to sleep, my heart suddenly started beating abnormally fast.
I could feel my heart pounding strongly and rapidly, exceeding 140 beats per minute.
This startled me awake and caused panic as I was frightened by my own heartbeat.
Subsequently, there were several instances where I suddenly experienced shortness of breath; my breathing was normal, but I felt like I was getting very little air, or my heart would race.
Because of this, my family often took me to the emergency room and to see doctors.
The hospital arranged for me to undergo tests, but since I was about to enlist and my family was very eager for me to go, I was allowed to enlist first.
The day before I enlisted, my mother took me to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.
After hearing my verbal account, he diagnosed me with autonomic nervous system disorder.
I took Chinese medicine, but it had little effect, and I continued to have episodes.
On the first day of military training, I told my squad leader that I felt very unwell, but every squad leader dismissed my symptoms, thinking I was trying to avoid military service.
Once, after having lunch, my heart raced to 150 beats per minute, and I felt dizzy and had a headache.
I was very uncomfortable, so I was hospitalized for examination and found to have mitral valve insufficiency.
However, the doctor said it was mild and not serious.
During my worst episodes, I experienced shortness of breath, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, visual disturbances, general weakness, chest tightness and pain (which was very uncomfortable and unbearable), nausea, palpitations, and my heart racing very fast.
My family, unaware of my mitral valve insufficiency, said I was just overthinking and stressed.
They even used harsh words to scold me when I felt extremely uncomfortable, suggesting I should go to a psychiatric hospital, claiming I had a mental illness and was pretending to be sick.
Even in the military, my superiors insisted I participate in physical training despite my discomfort.
When a doctor at the military hospital was about to check for arrhythmia, I broke down in tears while waiting because I was genuinely worried about my health.
I feared something might happen during training, and I felt helpless with no way to back out.
I have now been diagnosed with autonomic nervous system disorder and mitral valve insufficiency.
Before these symptoms appeared, I was mentally and physically well, but I often stayed up late and had irregular sleeping patterns, and then one day I became like this.
I have a few questions for the doctor:
1.
I am really afraid of my symptoms; they can be very severe and frightening, and each episode feels like I am brushing against death.
I have been hospitalized and undergone comprehensive heart examinations, including exercise ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, and blood tests.
Do I need any other tests, such as a cardiac catheterization?
2.
Besides mitral valve insufficiency, I also have anemia and autonomic nervous system disorder (my father mentioned a family history of arrhythmia and hyperventilation).
Will this exacerbate my heart problems or other symptoms like shortness of breath or dizziness?
3.
Am I at risk for coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction, or other cardiovascular diseases? My episodes are very alarming; a normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute, but mine goes up to 150.
Is this dangerous? The doctor said many people have mitral valve insufficiency and not to worry too much, but could my severe symptoms be due to having mitral valve insufficiency combined with autonomic nervous system disorder?
4.
Given my symptoms, what lifestyle changes do you recommend? Should I rest or exercise (but I start to experience shortness of breath and discomfort after walking for about 20 minutes)? What should I avoid eating, and how should I adjust my diet and daily routine?
5.
Is there a possibility of life-threatening situations with my condition? My episodes are very severe and uncomfortable.
Do I need to be hospitalized for further examination? My health is not great, but I am currently taking medication for arrhythmia, angina, and anxiety, which has improved my heart condition somewhat, but I still feel uncomfortable during exercise and often feel weak and fatigued.
6.
I have reported my condition many times to my squad leaders and even the company commander, but they said mild mitral valve insufficiency does not qualify for discharge.
Even when I feel very unwell, I am still required to participate in physical training, which is very painful and distressing for me.
Some classmates mockingly imitate my breathing and gestures when my heart feels uncomfortable, and even my squad leader has made sarcastic comments about my frequent referrals.
I feel very sad and distressed.
Currently, I can only endure these symptoms while continuing training.
Besides referrals, I cannot rest in the dormitory, and I do not want to be sick.
I am tired of being treated as an outcast and being talked about, accused of using illness as an excuse to be lazy.
Is there no way for me to seek discharge?
7.
Is a heart rate exceeding 150 beats per minute life-threatening? What should I do next time I experience rapid heartbeat, discomfort, shortness of breath, or dizziness? I have been hospitalized at the military hospital, but the doctor just told me to take my medication regularly.
Do I need to undergo a comprehensive physical examination?

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louis, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/12/12