Jim Harbaugh reveals what his doctor told him after last week’s health scare

In the first quarter of the Los Angeles Chargers’ away game against the Denver BroncosHead coach Jim Harbaugh had a sudden exit. While Harbaugh was being treated in the medical tent, the defensive coordinator was there Jesse Minter rose as interim HC. Harbaugh returned late in the first quarter.

“He said he was struggling with cardiac arrhythmias – it’s something he’s been struggling with on and off for some time.”@AJRoss_TV spoke with Jim Harbaugh about briefly leaving today’s game pic.twitter.com/zAkQkpESoy

– NFL on CBS? (@NFLonCBS) October 13, 2024

When Harbaugh returned to the game, he told CBS sideline reporter AJ Ross that he was dealing with cardiac arrhythmia – an irregular heartbeat – something he has always struggled with.

In the end, the Chargers defeated their division rival 23:16. He shared his condition with reporters during the post-game press conference.

“In the end, everything was fine,” Harbaugh said. “I deal with it, I think, in a minor way [problem]it’s called atrial flutter. I got into an episode with it today. The doctors examined me and I returned to sinus rhythm, the normal rhythm. So I came back.

Harbaugh also joked that he is now 2-0 when he has an episode on the field, but that his first-ever atrial flutter occurred in 1999. The first time it happened as HC was in 2012 when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football.”

On Oct. 14, Habraugh said he would wear a heart monitor for the next two weeks and take a blood-thinning medication and a medication that also prevents his heart rate from increasing or decreasing.

Now Harbaugh and the Chargers prepare for their Week 7 opponent, the Arizona Cardinalson “MNF.”

During today’s post-practice media conference, Harbaugh updated reporters on his health and, of course, brought his sense of humor to the message.

Bend over, coach pic.twitter.com/DysYTUDFCQ

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 16, 2024

“I just spoke to the cardiologist before I came here. I got some test results back. ‘An Athlete’s Heart was a direct quote from my cardiologist,” Harbaugh said as he leaned forward. Harbaugh added that his stress test, endurance and heart strength were “incredible.”

It’s good to see Harbaugh in good spirits. Soon he’ll be back on the field, pushing sleds and training with his players.