Franklin Aribeana, a Texas bodybuilder, recently made headlines after being hospitalized over 20 times due to a rare heart condition triggered by drinking cold water. The 35-year-old first experienced a fainting spell in 2007 after drinking cold water at the gym, but it took 15 years and 25 doctor’s appointments for him to discover the root cause of his health issues.
After numerous tests and consultations, doctors determined that Aribeana’s heart condition was caused by a genetic aberration that led to atrial fibrillation. The cold water touching the vagus nerve triggered his heart to beat erratically and his blood pressure to plummet, resulting in fainting spells. This condition was further exacerbated by Aribeana’s high-intensity activities like weightlifting, which once caused him to lose consciousness on a golf course after drinking cold water.
Fortunately, doctors were able to diagnose and treat Aribeana’s condition early with an ablation procedure, cauterizing the connection between the vagus nerve and his heart. Since then, Aribeana has made a full recovery and no longer experiences fainting spells. However, he still needs to take medication to manage his atrial fibrillation.
Aribeana’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking medical attention when experiencing unusual symptoms. Despite facing numerous challenges due to his rare heart condition, Aribeana’s perseverance and the expertise of his medical team ultimately led to a successful outcome.
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