Bodybuilder Franklin Aribeana, 35, has been hospitalized more than a dozen times due to a mysterious heart condition that was finally traced back to his habit of drinking ice cold water after working out. It took 25 hospital visits for doctors to figure out that the cold water was triggering his vagus nerve, causing his heart to beat erratically in a condition known as atrial fibrillation.
Aribeana, who already had an irregular heartbeat and enlarged heart, had the connection between his vagus nerve and heart cauterized to treat the condition. Cold water can stimulate the vagus nerve, triggering the “diving reflex” which slows the heart rate and tightens blood vessels.
The bodybuilder collapsed multiple times after drinking cold water, with one incident even occurring on a golf course. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic heart condition that caused the left chamber of his heart to become enlarged, with the help of heart disease expert Dr. Khashayar Mematpour.
After having the vagus nerve cauterized, Aribeana is now able to drink cold water without any issues. Problems with the vagus nerve can be caused by previous neck injuries, compression of the nerve by surrounding tissue, or genetic conditions affecting the heart. This rare condition affects fewer than one in 2,500 people in the US.
Overall, Aribeana’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies and understanding how even seemingly harmless habits, such as drinking cold water, can have serious consequences for our health.
