A Philly sports radio host’s recent bout of hiccups turned from a joke into serious diagnosis — of potentially life-threatening heart disease.

Big Daddy Graham, a host on SportsRadio 94WIP, joked about his frequent hiccups on air, fielding thousands of suggestions from fans on home remedies, CBC Local reports.

“I started hiccupping like a fool, and it just wouldn’t stop,” he said.

But the hiccups got so bad that he went to an emergency room last week, where he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation — an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. He spent three days in the hospital.

Hiccups aren’t typical of the condition, which more often causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. But hiccups can be tied to such factors as stress, which can lead to atrial fibrillation.

Big Daddy’s hiccups are improving, and he has reportedly returned to work.