siriusmary replied: "I was never diagnosed when I was young so my first notion that I had what was later diagnosed as moderate aortic regurgitation (leaky valve) was when I went on a vacation to Peru. At 13,500 ft above sea level, I was sweating (it was very cold), couldn't breathe and was unable to move. In fact, I was laying flat on the floor of the bus and probably taking one breath every few minutes. My lips were blue and my skin and nails had no blood. I had no idea what was happening - oh, yeah, I had the worst migraine of my life also. I was in good shape but this was a nightmare. They took me back down the mountain to Cuzco - 10,000 ft asl - where I was quite ill and totally out of it - had a stroke but didn't know that either. I didn't remember my phone number at home in the states until 4 days later so I could call and get some help to get home. I had had serious strep throats and maybe rheumatic fever in childhood and also have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis which can cause mitral and aortic valve regurgitation. So, as young as you are, and the meds they have you on, please stay in lower altitudes and watch your breathing. When it becomes labored go immediately to an emergency room. Do not risk your mind by waiting. I was shocked to find out about my leaky valve - they wanted to replace it but I refused since it would have to be replaced again in a few years - 15 or so. I was 50 at the time and decided if I needed heart surgery I would only do it once and that would be later. I take Inderal LA 120 mg to try and control my blood pressure and stay at 50 ft asl and where it is warm. To get my memory and speech back, I played Boggle and other video word games and made serious progress by doing that. I do not keep pushing my body when I have difficulty breathing and I try to control migraines with meds other than the ones that weaken my heart. I cannot imagine taking the amount of meds you are taking and trying to deal with side effects at 23. You are very brave. If you are patient it may happen that your condition will correct itself or improve slightly. Don't worry though since the stress of worry could be worse for you than anything else you may do. I now take 6000 mg Omega-3/6/DHA capsules per day - 2 with each meal and it seems to have helped somewhat since now the tests show mild mitral and aortic regurgitation. Read and research your condition and find natural things to do that will help relieve the pressure and stress on your heart to supplement the plan your doctor has put you on. Of course, check with the doc first to make sure you will not have a conflict with all those meds. Anecdote: I tried to attend a Prince concert about 2 years after the trip to Peru and just the bass coming through those huge speakers was enough so that I could feel my heart valve flopping around and sticking so I didn't even make it through the first song. What a waste. Oh, well, I wasn't the only one in the clinic at the performance so that's how it goes. If all else fails, blame your parents for having bad genes. That's what I did. Take care of yourself and just know that you are special and need to avoid some things - altitude and big vibrations and stress - and follow your doctor's advice. You are too young to have to suffer this - sorry."