Mitral Valve Regurgitation

[Jennify]

I've had a stressful year of illness, i came down with dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme fatigue, a pounding heart and the feeling that my hands and feet were swelling. This has happened 4 times in the past year and a half the most recent starting last week. It stays over the course of the year but worsens to the point of me being unable to do anything. Most doctors have completely dismissed me because I'm 19 and nothing could be wrong with me. So i was persistent and went to the doctor at my university and they sent me for an echo and holter monitor. They found mild tricuspid valve regurgitation and mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation. Could this be the reason for all my symptoms? Also, i have a very active summer job that makes my symptoms worse and i was wondering if it was smart for me to continue working full time or limit my responsibilities? Could my job make my heart worse?

I have an appointment in around a week to get a stress test done, but i have no idea what to do until then?

[joanincarolina]

The most important thing you have done is being persistent. Whatever it is that you have at your young age will not be helped by your worry, just be concerned and persistent. If you know of things that bring on symptoms, then don't do exercise, slow down with the laundry, and slow down with any activity. It takes time for medicine to go through the tests to try to piece together presenting atypical complaints. Stay out of the heat when you can and be careful standing or sitting up quickly. I now that's hard but you'll have your stress test soon which will confirm or rule out possible diagnoses, and help with the doctor's next step. Good Luck, be persistent and be slow. Joanincarolina.

[Jennify]

Is there anything that it could be? Doctors have also found that my heart rate races when i stand or sit up and also my blood pressure plummets at the same time.  It also gets worse in heat or when i'm doing any form of exercise. They also heard a murmur that was attributed to the valve disease.

[Cleveland Clinic]

It is not likely that mild or moderate valve disease with a normal ejection fraction could cause the severe debilitating symptoms you are feeling. A stress test is also unlikely to be positive given you age and atypical symptoms, but is reasonable given the fact that there is something deeply affecting your level of energy. If this is positive, then congenital abnormalities should be sought out first, possibly with a CT scan or an invasive angiogram. However, I think that this is also very unlikely given you severe symptoms and normal functioning heat on an echocardiogram.  

[Jennify]

Just to add a symptom I'm also short of breath during any activity even one as simple as gathering laundry or walking anywhere.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!