Mitral Valve Prolapse? Other than seeking out medical literature on the internet, what would possibly make you believe that you have MVP?

Realize that palpitations and panic disorder can arise in certain persons with symptomatic Mitral Valve Prolapse, but is most commonly encountered in females in their early to mid-twenties. It is not a condition that manifests symptoms in all persons. Additionally, mild MVP is an entirely normal and benign variant encountered during routine evaluation and not in response to symptom complaint by the patient.

It's also very important to make clear distinction between lightheadedness and true vertigo, or dizziness. Many persons with significant anxiety feel lightheaded and this is mostly due to shallow breathing which produces mild changes in blood gases, particularly CO2. Patients commonly remark that they feel somewhat like they might faint, but never actually do so. The sensation may at times also be accompanied by pressure felt in the neck or head, but this is sensory disturbance-related and not associated with high blood pressure.

Prominent veins in the extremities are not associated with circulation and are more commonly distended as a matter of genetic predisposition. You are far too young for consideration of cardiovascular compromise of any kind and speculation on your part regarding this potential is nothing more than irrational fears arising from physiological manifestations of anxiety which you are incorrectly interpreting as signs of disease or illness.

Experiencing a "head rush" when lying down or standing is again, a normal physiological response to stress or anxiety. Changes in blood pressure are commonly responsible for such sensations and the heart commonly responds by pounding as a result of increased cardiac force.

The fact that you notice these sensations more prominently in the morning and at night is because these are two distinct periods when changes in blood pressure are most likely. When rising in the morning, blood pressure rises to prepare the body for the day's activities. At night, blood pressure tends to fall in preparation for rest and sleep and during periods of anxiety and/or stress, the detection of these changes, collectively known as orthostasis, is typically perceived to be something wrong.  

In sum, I see absolutely nothing of your symptoms to suggest that anything serious is taking place at all. You need to learn to recognize common errors in thinking when physiological changes arise that seem unfamiliar to you but yet do not constitute a danger.

Try and relax. You're in no danger whatsoever.

Best regards,

Rutheford Rane, MD (ret.)