Man who thought symptom

A 33-year-old man in China mistook severe facial swelling for a hangover, only to later discover he had a life-threatening heart condition. After a night of drinking and subsequent exercise, he noticed his face and eyelids were unusually puffy. Initially misdiagnosed due to high protein levels in his urine, he was sent home with medication, but his condition worsened over time. The swelling spread, and he experienced chest tightness and abdominal bloating. Doctors eventually discovered he was suffering from a rare condition known as ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSOVA), a defect where part of the heart’s aortic wall swells and ruptures, potentially causing heart failure or cardiac arrest.

His diagnosis was finally made at Qilu Hospital in Qingdao after multiple failed attempts to identify the problem. Doctors explained that the strenuous physical activity following alcohol consumption likely triggered the rupture. Once properly diagnosed, he underwent emergency surgery to repair the 24mm by 27mm aneurysm, which was pressing on one of the heart chambers. Fortunately, the operation was successful, and he made a full recovery 18 months later. RSOVA is extremely rare, affecting just 0.09% of the population, and symptoms include chest pain, fainting, and unusual facial swelling.