A rare condition almost killed a man after causing his adrenalin levels in his body to soar. Russell Kesley, from east London was mistaken from a drunken tourist after he collapsed while on holiday in Cornwall, the Daily Mail reported.
Paramedic who arrived at the scene thought the 47-year-old might have had too much alcohol in his system. However, they rushed him to a hospital when they realised his blood pressure was sky high.
Kesley was diagnosed with a rare condition called pheochromocytoma, which "develops in an adrenal gland and causes a spike in adrenalin".
According to UK's National Health Service, having phaeochromocytoma can result in heart palpitations and heart blood pressure. People can develop the condition at any age.
The avid cyclist's adrenalin was so high for years, making it hard for him to make decisions. He would survive on just three hours of sleep.
He did not realise he was experiencing the symptoms from the two-inch mass for close to 10 years until learning of what he had.
Kesley is now making it his mission to bring awareness about the condition.” I’m so lucky it was caught when it was, because a lot of people suffer a heart attack or a stroke with this condition. If I hadn't been so fit, it would have killed me," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
After having surgery, Kesley feels keeping his adrenalin under control has benefited his relationships.
