I'm going to take a different tac, something no one else has mentioned.

Alysser, I didn't see you write about anything you can't / should not do. Do YOU admit there are some things you would be better leaving undone, untried? This will go a LONG way to convincing others you are informed, aware, and making intelligent decisions. All I read so far, is that basically if you want to do it you will, unless someone ELSE stops you. This means you either don't fully understand the situation, are in total denial, are extremely rebellious about the heart condition, or insane. And I happen to know you are NOT insane!

Read how many times you wrote that you have PROVEN THEM WRONG. Are you trying to convince THEM, or are you trying to convince YOURSELF that you are alright?