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Health anxiety ECHO results

Hello, I have recently began to worry about an echo-cardiogram i had back in 2012, I am now 25,  BMI 19 Eat mostly vegetarian Mediterranean based diet, take Fish oil supplements, probiotics, vitamin b-12 and get moderate exercise. Im working with a psychologist 2x per week for health anxiety. I also take klonopin 0.5 mgs as needed. I also use medical marijuana at around 0.8 grams per day and drink moderately. My question is will this lifestyle cause any cardiac risk or worsening of my echo results (such as sudden cardiac death) the findings are as follows:

All parameters were within normal range other than the remarkable findings below.

The aortic valve is trileaflet and normal leaflet excursion is evident. The anterior mitral valve leaflet is moderately thickened but there is no evidence of mitral valve prolapse or stenosis. No structural tricuspid or pulmonic valve abnormalities recognized.

Color-flow Doppler interrogation remarkable for presence of mild trcuspid insufficiency. Estimated RV systolic pressure is 33mmHg based on measurement at regurgitant tricuspid jet. The E-to-A ratio is 1.6:1. The peak aortic valve gradient is 10mmHg and mean gradient is 6 mmHg. Note that no shunts noted, no evidence of ASK or VSD with color-flow Doppler.

IMPRESSION: 1.Normal left ventricular size and systolic function.
                         2.No left ventricular hypertrophy.
                         3.Thickening of anterior mitral valve leaflet.
                          4.Mild tricuspid insufficiency.
                          5.Other findings as described above.

I asked a Dr on another forum and they said it was  Mitral valve prolapse. But it says "he anterior mitral valve leaflet is moderately thickened but there is no evidence of mitral valve prolapse". Any help would be greatly appreciated i cant seem to calm my mind of this issue.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is nothing to be alarmed about regarding this echocardiogram. Your cardiologist may decide to repeat an echocardiogram sometime in the future but rest assured that if there was any concern at the present time, he/she would have decided to pursue other tests. Often when we as physicians order tests, we encounter findings that although could be perceived as abnormal have no clinical significance. It is our job to reassure our patients in this setting that everything is fine. Certainly if you need reassurance, I would discuss this with your physician. As for lifestyle, the best thing you can do to promote your cardiovascular health is to eat a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt as well as get plenty of exercise. Be cautious with your alcohol consumption as excess alcohol can be cardiotoxic and lead to cardiomyopathy. Best of luck to you.
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Avatar universal
Hi Dillon. Even if it is mitral valve prolapse, I understand that this is a common and benign finding on many echos. It sounds like you are taking great steps in looking after your heart with a healthy diet. I think however, that like many of us who post here, you are finding it hard to accept that your heart is healthy. When we suffer from anxiety we find it hard to look at things logically and get things out of proportion. I suffer from frequent pvc's and despite being told they are benign, I am still terrified during a bad spell, expecting to die any minute. I am sure you will be doing some cbt with your therapist, but I can also recommend 'Stop Thinking Start Living' by Richard Carlson and 'Self Help for Your Nerves' by Dr Claire Weekes. If your cardiologist has said your heart is ok, then you need to work on the anxiety and make that your focus.
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