Danny Ellis, a 42-year-old man from Llanrwst in Conwy county, developed a rare heart condition and sepsis after experiencing tooth pain. Doctors reportedly told him he had a 1% chance of survival.
Mr Ellis began experiencing tooth pain in April and was given antibiotics. The pain persisted, and he later noticed red marks on his body. He was rushed to hospital on 23 June.
At Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, an echocardiogram revealed a hole in his heart's mitral valve, fluid in his lungs, and sepsis. He was diagnosed with endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart's inner lining, which the NHS states is usually caused by bacteria or fungus entering the blood through the mouth or skin and travelling to the heart.
Mr Ellis underwent heart surgery in Liverpool on 6 July, which was initially unsuccessful. After a second operation, the infection was cleared, and the hole in his mitral valve was closed. He also suffered a series of strokes. His recovery is expected to continue for at least another 12 months, and he anticipates being on medication for the rest of his life.