When a 33-year-old Chinese man woke up with severe facial swelling after drinking, he never imagined it signaled a life-threatening heart condition. Over three months, his “hangover” symptoms progressed to include chest tightness and abdominal swelling – clues that led doctors to an astonishing discovery.
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Advanced testing revealed a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, an uncommon cardiac emergency where part of the aortic wall tears. Medical experts theorize that strenuous exercise after alcohol consumption caused the rupture in this otherwise healthy individual. The case, detailed in a medical journal, highlights the condition’s deceptive nature – initial exams missed the heart problem, focusing instead on kidney abnormalities.
“This misdiagnosis delayed appropriate intervention,” wrote the Qilu Hospital physicians who ultimately identified the 24mm aneurysm. Their report notes the patient developed acute heart failure before undergoing successful emergency surgery. With RSOVA affecting fewer than 1 in 1,000 people, this case serves as an important reminder that unusual swelling can sometimes indicate serious internal problems.
