Man undergoes heart surgery after drinking cold water nearly kills him

(CNN) - A Houston man had to undergo heart surgery after drinking a sip of cold water nearly killed him. That sip of water turned into years of emergency room visits and medication.

Franklin Aribeana was only 18-years-old at the time of the incident. He was working out at the gym when he took a sip of cold water. As he began to sit down, his heart started palpating.

“As I’m drinking the water, probably the most noticeable thud in my chest,” Aribeana said. “I’d never experienced it before.”

Suddenly, Aribeana fainted and he was rushed to the hospital. Genetic testing revealed he had a gene mutation that can trigger atrial fibrillation, also known as Afib.

Afib is a condition where the heart beats out of rhythm. For Aribeana, it could be triggered when cold water touched the vagus nerve in the back of his throat. The vagus nerve runs from the brain to your chest and is meant to regulate your heartbeat.

Aribeana’s doctor, Khashayar Hematpour, said symptoms are very rare. Typically, some people may feel sudden fatigue, chest pains or shortness of breath.

Now he’s using his story to raise awareness.

“If you feel something, don’t be afraid to tell your parents. Don’t be afraid to tell your physician next time you go in for an appointment, or if it feels emergency-related enough, don’t be afraid to go to the emergency room,” Aribeana said.

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