Markiplier nearly dies from Asian Flush related heart attack

Mark Edward Fischbach, well-known as Youtuber Markiplier, revealed in a recent interview on Logan Paul’s podcast that he no longer drinks after experiencing two alcohol-related heart attacks.

“So I’m half Korean, right? So I get the Asian Flush, but I get real bad,” he said. “I got it from my mom. She takes one tiny sip of wine, like just red as a beet.”

He then goes on to explain a night of drinking with friends and suddenly feeling extremely dizzy. While in the bathroom, he passes out so his worried friends call an ambulance. Good thing, too - because Markiplier has a heart attack while in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

All it took was three beers, he said.

They later found out that he had a heart attack while in the bathroom before he fainted. Overall a scary night for him and his friends.

Markiplier said that he no longer drinks alcohol as the risk of another heart attack isn’t worth it.

Many fans went online to show their shock about his story, but also confusion over Asian Flush. Even Logan Paul and the rest of the podcast crew weren't aware of this condition. It’s estimated that about 560 million people, or about 8% of the world's population, has Asian Flush said Daria Mochly-Rosen, PhD, professor of chemical and systems biology.

What is Asian Flush?

Asian Flush can vary in symptoms and severity, but many people with it report a negative reaction to alcohol - specifically turning red in the face when they drink. Other symptoms of Asian Flush can include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• itchy eyes
• nausea
• rapid heartrate
• wheezy breathing

This condition is called Asian Flush because the gene mutation is prevalent in the East Asian population and is typically handed down by a family member. If you have a parent or close relative that has Asian Flush, just like Markiplier got the condition from his mom, you’re much more likely to have Asian Flush yourself.

However, it's not just those of East Asian decent who can have this condition. Many Caucasians can experience this negative reaction to alcohol, which is why you may sometimes hear it referred to as "alcohol flushing."

Unfortunately there is no cure for Asian Flush or experiencing these negative symptoms when drinking alcohol. However there are some natural supplements like Sunset Alcohol Flush Support that can help reduce symptoms when drinking.

The science behind Asian Flush can be confusing at best, but it comes down to the body lacking the proper enzyme to help break down alcohol, often referred to as an "ALDH2 deficiency."

For those with Asian Flush, alcohol turns into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde in the body, which can cause a whole host of negative and uncomfortable symptoms. Supplements like Sunset work with the body to help break down this chemical as quickly as possible, limiting the severity of Asian Flush symptoms.

Want to learn more about the science of Asian Flush? Check out: ALDH2 Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment