Bronny James cardiac arrest - latest: 911 audio captures moments after collapse as LeBron thanks doctors

LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, was rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during a basketball workout on Monday.

The rising basketball star suffered a cardiac incident during practice at USC on Monday.

Bronny, 18, committed to playing for the USC Trojans beginning next season. He is expected to be drafted into the NBA within the next few years.

Bronny collapsed sometime around 9.20am on Monday after he collapsed. A 911 call was made reportedly at 9.26am and he was rushed to the hospital.

He was taken by ambulance from USC’s Galen Center, where the school’s basketball team plays and practices

He has since been released from an intensive care unit and is reportedly in stable condition.

“Yesterday while practising, Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest, a spokesperson for the James family told TMZ. “Medical staff were able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.”

Key Points

• LeBron James’ son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest at basketball workout

• A timeline of LeBron and Savannah James’ relationship

• Damar Hamlin offers message of support to LeBron James’ family after son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest

• WATCH: Stephen A Smith reacts to news of Bronny’s hospitalisation

• Elon Musk responding to Bronny James is exactly what we can expect of Twitter now

What is cardiac arrest?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Cardiac arrest is “the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm,” and is also referred to as sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cardiac arrest refers to when the heart stops completely, and the body no longer has blood or oxygen flow. If not treated immediately, the condition can lead to death.

The National Institute of Health attributes the cause of cardiac arrest to types of arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats that stop the blood from pumping through to the heart, with the main causes “ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia,” both types of arrhythmias.

If a person has had prior cardiac arrest, heart valve disease, arrhythmias caused by gene defects, congenital heart defects, or coronary heart disease, they are more at risk. Family history, smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, can put an individual at risk too.

A heart attack differs from sudden cardiac arrest, as a heart attack means blood flow to a specific part of the heart is blocked which has the potential to change the “heart’s electrical activity that leads to sudden cardiac arrest,” while sudden cardiac arrest isn’t a blockage, the Mayo Clinic notes. According to the NIH, sudden cardiac arrest typically causes the individual to become unconscious and stops their breathing.

A similar incident of sudden cardiac arrest: Damar Hamlin

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a game on 2 January.

The Buffalo Bills safety collapsed on the field shortly after making a tackle during the clash with the Cincinnati Bengals at the Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Rob Maaddi reports:

What we know after NFL player Damar Hamlin suffers cardiac arrest during game

Bronny James required CPR before being rushed to hospital

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio

A recently released 911 audio recording has revealed that Bronny James, 18, needed CPR before being rushed to the hospital.

Once Mr James experienced cardiac arrest, a 911 call was placed around 9.25am. In the minutes it took an ambulance to arrive, Mr James lost consciousness.

Emergency medical staff expedited Mr James’ transportation calling a “Code three, lights and sirens” to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Mr James’ smooth recovery thus far indicates that the medical staff at USC knew to perform CPR in order to give Mr James the highest chance of survival.

VOICES: Elon Musk responding to Bronny James is exactly what we can expect of Twitter now

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

“When it comes to Musk’s unsolicited and unsubstantiated theory, the data doesn’t suggest it is the most likely explanation. Developing myocarditis from a Covid-19 vaccine is rare. In fact, the American Heart Association published a 2022 analysis of nearly 43 million people which found that people are more likely to develop myocarditis from Covid-19 itself than from the vaccine.”

Ahmed Baba writes:

Elon Musk responding to Bronny James is exactly what we can expect of Twitter now

James family thanks USC staff for saving Bronny’s life

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio

Bronny James’ parents, LeBron and Savannah, issued a statement Tuesday thanking the University of South Carolina’s medical and athletic staff for saving him after the 18-year-old experienced cardiac arrest.

“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”

What causes cardiac arrest in healthy athletes?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

As the public becomes more aware of cardiac arrest incidents occurring in young, seemingly healthy, athletes some are wondering how these are possible.

According to the University of Washington’s Sports Institute, about 1 or 2 in every 100,000 young athletes experience a sudden cardiac arrest every year.

Men are at higher risk than women, Black men most of all, and the riskiest sports appear to be football and basketball. For male basketballers at the top level of US college sports, the risk is 20 per 100,000 each year.

In fact, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading medical cause of death for college athletes in the US, according to research from long before the Covid era.

According to an NCAA report in 2016, men’s basketball and football players account for 50 per cent of sudden cardiac deaths in the NCAA, despite making up only 23 per cent of all male NCAA athletes.

So, although scientists still don’t really know why these cardiac arrests are more common for young athletes, the fact that they are more common is well established.

Who is Bronny James?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:35 , Ariana Baio

Bronny James, 18, is the eldest son of legendary basketball star LeBron James.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Mr James committed to playing basketball for the USC Trojans next season. He is expected to be drafted into the NBA in the future.

Elon Musk slammed for pushing anti-vax conspiracy in response to LeBron James’ son Bronny suffering cardiac arrest

Wednesday 26 July 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio

After 18-year-old son of the basketball superstar was rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest, Mr Musk proposed the vaccine could have been responsible for his medical condition

Kelly Rissman reports:

Elon Musk slammed for anti-vax rant in response to LeBron James’ son’s cardiac arrest

Bronny James’ parents ‘optimistic’ as more tests run

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:30 , Megan Sheets

Bronny James’ parents LeBron and Savannah are “optimistic” about their son’s health prospects, a source close to the family told TMZ.

The source described the parents as “relieved” by doctors’ reassurances following Bronny’s release from the ICU.

They said more tests will be done to determine what may have caused the teen’s cardiac arrest.

LeBron and Savannah have yet to issue a public statement about the incident.

How common is cardiac arrest in athletes?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 16:00 , Io Dodds

Cardiac arrests among young men who play basketball are, if not exactly common, far from unheard of.

According to the University of Washington’s Sports Institute, about 1 or 2 in every 100,000 young athletes experience a sudden cardiac arrest every year.

Men are at higher risk than women, Black men most of all, and the riskiest sports appear to be football and basketball. For male basketballers at the top level of US college sports, the risk is 20 per 100,000 each year.

In fact, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading medical cause of death for college athletes in the US, according to research from long before the Covid era.

That figure comes from a 2011 study by the University of Washington, which found that 45 athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had died of such incidents between 2004 and 2008.

Excluding those who had died of non-medical or traumatic factors, and those whose cause of death was unknown, this represented more than half of the NCAA athletes who died in those five years.

Will Bronny James be able to play again?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:30 , Megan Sheets

Questions are mounting over whether Bronny James will be able to get back on the basketball court following his sudden cardiac arrest.

While many experts unrelated to Bronny’s specific case have presented speculation, there is no way to tell at this point.

The 18-year-old is said to be in stable condition after his release from the ICU.

The long-term effects, and Bronny’s future in sport, could take weeks or months to become clear.

What happened to Bronny James?

Wednesday 26 July 2023 15:00 , Ariana Baio

LeBron “Bronny” James Jr, the 18-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, was hospitalised after he experienced cardiac arrest while practicing basketball at the University of South Carolina.

Bronny collapsed on Monday while practicing at USC, where he is expected to play college basketball beginning next season.

The rising basketball star was rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and later released from an intensive care unit. He is now in stable condition.

Graig Graziosi reports:

What happened to LeBron James’ son Bronny?

Debunking the anti-vaxxers: Cardiac arrests were killing young athletes long before Covid

Wednesday 26 July 2023 14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Cardiac arrests among young men who play basketball are, if not exactly common, far from unheard of.

According to the University of Washington’s Sports Institute, about 1 or 2 in every 100,000 young athletes experience a sudden cardiac arrest every year.

Men are at higher risk than women, Black men most of all, and the riskiest sports appear to be football and basketball. For male basketballers at the top level of US college sports, the risk is 20 per 100,000 each year.

In fact, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading medical cause of death for college athletes in the US, according to research from long before the Covid era.

That figure comes from a 2011 study by the University of Washington, which found that 45 athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had died of such incidents between 2004 and 2008.

Excluding those who had died of non-medical or traumatic factors, and those whose cause of death was unknown, this represented more than half of the NCAA athletes who died in those five years.

Altogether, we currently have no cause to think that there is anything suspicious about what happened to Bronny James – and approximately 0.0001 reasons to blame the vaccine.

Damar Hamlin sends ‘prayers’ to Bronny James

Wednesday 26 July 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Fox News promotes conspiracy theory linking Bronny James collapse to Covid vaccine

Wednesday 26 July 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

A Fox News anchor has claimed without evidence that the cardiac arrest suffered by college basketball player Bronny James could be linked to the Covid-19 vaccine, the latest in a series of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories peddled by the right-wing news channel.

James, the son of basketball icon LeBron James, suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday and was hospitalised. While doctors have made no claims about the cardiac arrest James suffered being linked to Covid vaccine, his hospitalisation prompted an immediate wave of anti-vaccination claims led by Twitter founder Elon Musk.

There has also been no evidence released by doctors yet that James suffered myocarditis, a heart problem caused by inflammation of the heart muscle, which, in the most serious cases, can cause a cardiac arrest.

Read more here:

Fox News promotes conspiracy theory linking Bronny James collapse to Covid vaccine

Stephen A Smith reacts to news of Bronny’s hospitalisation

Wednesday 26 July 2023 11:30 , Graig Graziosi

‘Elon Musk responding to Bronny James is exactly what we can expect of Twitter now'

Wednesday 26 July 2023 10:30 , Graig Graziosi

Ahmed Baba writes for The Independent:

We were all just reminded why Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter, now rebranded X, is so poisonous to our discourse.

Son of basketball legend LeBron James, 18-year-old Bronny James, suffered from cardiac arrest during a basketball workout. He was rushed to the hospital and, as of Tuesday afternoon, is in a stable condition. As we’ve come to see so commonly with sports stars and conditions like this, anti-vaccine conspiracy theories surged on social media, especially Twitter. The owner of the site couldn’t help but to join in.

Elon Musk wasted no time immediately suggesting the Covid-19 vaccine could be to blame. Musk tweeted (or xeeted?): “We cannot ascribe everything to the vaccine, but, by the same token, we cannot ascribe nothing. Myocarditis is a known side-effect. The only question is whether it is rare or common.”

Musk sent that post only 30 minutes after the first TMZ report on Bronny’s condition was released. He had zero information on what could have caused Bronny’s cardiac arrest, nor does he have any unique insight into Bronny’s potential pre-existing conditions. But Musk didn’t let his lack of evidence spread this anti-vaccine conspiracy theory. A simple “I wish Bronny a speedy recovery” would’ve sufficed.

READ MORE:

Elon Musk responding to Bronny James is exactly what we can expect of Twitter now

ICYMI: Professional athletes show support for Bronny

Wednesday 26 July 2023 09:20 , Graig Graziosi

Since news broke of his cardiac arrest, sports figures and commenters have offered support for Bronny as he recovers in the hospital.

Damar Hamlin, Donovan Mitchell, and Magic Johnson are just a few of the athletes who have offered sympathy statements in response to young athlete’s unfortunate health scare.

'No association' between Covid jab and actual cardiac arrest

Wednesday 26 July 2023 07:00 , Io Dodds

I mentioned before that myocarditis is a very different thing to an actual cardiac arrest. Here's a study illustrating that difference.

Other research has found that Myocarditis, which is a heart problem caused by inflammation of the heart muscles, is indeed slightly more likely following the Covid jab (although still very rare in absolute terms).

However, an article published in the American Heart Association's academic journal Circulation this April found no association between cardiac arrests outside of hospital and Covid-19 vaccination.

Indeed, as Mike Finger, a sports columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, pointed out on Tuesday, Wikipedia's list of "notable cases" of sudden cardiac deaths among athletes has more than a hundred entries, and dates back to 1906.

Elon Musk slammed for pushing anti-vax conspiracy in response to LeBron James’ son Bronny suffering cardiac arrest

Wednesday 26 July 2023 07:00 , Graig Graziosi

When replying to a news story about how Lebron James’ son Bronny suffered from cardiac arrest, Elon Musk suggested the medical emergency could have been linked to the Covid-19 vaccine.

He tweeted, “We cannot ascribe everything to the vaccine, but, by the same token, we cannot ascribe nothing. Myocarditis is a known side-effect. The only question is whether it is rare or common.”

Yale School of Medicine wrote on its website that myocarditis, or swelling of the heart muscle, “is a rare side effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which have been used with great success as protection against the SARS CoV-2 virus and its variants.”

The 18-year-old son of the basketball superstar was rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during a basketball workout on Monday.

READ MORE:

Elon Musk slammed for anti-vax rant in response to LeBron James’ son’s cardiac arrest

Bronny’s incident is second for USC in two years

Wednesday 26 July 2023 05:29 , Io Dodds

Bronny is the second USC basketball player in two years to experience a cardiac event during a practice.

On 1 July last year, another member of the university’s Trojans basketball team suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while working out at the Galen Centre.

"I just got super dizzy out of nowhere," Vincent Iwuchukwu later said about the incident. "I was about to drink my water, and I was like, 'Bro, I'm so dizzy'. And bam – that's all I remembered."

At the time, he didn't realise how serious the situation was. As USC Trojans assistant coach Eric Mobley shouted "get up, Vince! Don't die on me!", the young player thought to himself: "Don't die on me? What does he mean don't die?"

Mr Iwuchukwu did not die, and spent a few days in hospital where doctors couldn't find a clear cause for the incident. Initially, he was told he might never play basketball again.

But six months later he was back in play, with a defibrillator implanted inside his chest to regulate his heartrate. Last season, he played 14 games.

Fox News host joins Musk in questioning Covid jab

Wednesday 26 July 2023 04:14 , Io Dodds

Fox News host Laura Ingraham has lent her backing to Elon Musk and his so far groundless claim that Bronny James's collapse could be due to being vaccinated.

"Today Elon Musk was pilloried for suggesting that the Covid shot might have had something to do with what happened to Bronny," said Ms Ingraham, in a clip reposted online by the left-wing campaign group Media Matters for America.

"Now, he may be completely wrong. It's speculation. But we do know that myocarditis is a side-effect of the vaccine.

"Given everything the so-called experts got wrong during Covid, we shouldn't condemn anyone who is asking questions – as these cases seem to be accelerating."

As I mentioned earlier, myocarditis is not the same thing as a cardiac arrest, and is extremely rare as a side-effect of Covid jabs. There is a far bigger risk of cardiac arrest from simply being a top-level basketball player.

Ms Ingraham also didn’t cite any evidence that such cases are increasing, beyond the fact that there have been a few lately. This is not the first such cluster – three international soccer players died of cardiac arrests between 2003 and 2007, and one basketballer and one footballer died similarly in 1990.

Bronny’s younger brother Bryce posts in support

Wednesday 26 July 2023 03:05 , Io Dodds

Bryce Maximus, the younger brother of Bronny James, has posted a message of support on his Instagram page.

The 16-year-old, who received a scholarship offer to play basketball in the NCAA's Division I last year, sent his followers a photo of him and Mr James standing side by side looking at a phone screen together, with a love heart emoji.

Cardiac arrest has long been a danger for young basketballers

Wednesday 26 July 2023 01:57 , Io Dodds

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading medical cause of death for college athletes in the US, according to research from long before the Covid era.

That figure comes from a 2011 study by the University of Washington, which found that 45 athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had died of such incidents between 2004 and 2008.

Excluding those who had died of non-medical or traumatic factors, and those whose cause of death was unknown, this represented more than half of the NCAA athletes who died in those five years.

Older basketball fans might remember the sudden death of Hank Gathers, a college player in Los Angeles who died on the court in 1990 from a cardiac arrest.

Basketball and football seem to be most dangerous. According to a 2016 report by an NCAA task force, they made up 50 p for 50 per cent of sudden cardiac deaths in the NCAA, despite making up only 23 per cent of all male NCAA athletes.

Covid is far riskier than vaccines – and sport is riskier than both

Wednesday 26 July 2023 01:03 , Io Dodds

As a complication of Covid-19 vaccines, myocarditis – a heart problem caused by inflammation, which can lead to cardiac arrest in severe cases – is exceedingly rare.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that between the ages of18 and 29, it affects no more than 11.6 vaccinated young men per 100,000 – or 0.01 per cent.

What is slightly more common, though still rare in this age group, is that Covid-19 itself causes myocarditis. For young men who had suffered recent Covid infections, the rate was 63.7 in every 100,000.

Altogether, the study found, the risk of myocarditis in this group was 7-8 times higher for being infected with Covid-19 than it was for being vaccinated. Remember, this is just the risk of myocarditis, not a full cardiac arrest.

Another study of nearly 43 million people, backed by the American Heart Association, found that the risks rose for young men under 40 after the second dose of some vaccines. But it was still extremely low in absolute terms, at no more than 97 extra cases per 1 million.

All of these numbers appear to be far lower than the background risks of being a young athlete in the first place. According to the University of Washington's Sports Institute, about 1 or 2 in every 100,000 young athletes experience a sudden cardiac arrest every year.

Men are at higher risk than women, Black men most of all, and the riskiest sports appear to be football and basketball. For male basketballers at the top level of US college sports, the risk is 20 per 100,000 each year.

This post originally overestimated the CDC’s figure for myocarditis in vaccinated young men, and has now been corrected.

A timeline of LeBron and Savannah James’ relationship

Tuesday 25 July 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James, have been together for more than two decades and celebrated huge milestones.

The pair first met back in high school during the early ‘00s, before LeBron officially entered the NBA in 2003. Following his first year as a Cleveland Cavaliers player, he and Savannah had two children. Years later, they announced their engagement and later welcomed a third child.

Throughout their 20-year relationship, they’ve done philanthropic work together and supported each other’s individual careers.

READ MORE:

Who is LeBron’s wife Savannah James?

Cardiac arrest, basketball, and conspiracy theories: What happened to LeBron James’ son Bronny?

Tuesday 25 July 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

LeBron “Bronny” James Jr, the 18-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, was hospitalised after he experienced cardiac arrest while practicing basketball at the University of South Carolina.

Bronny collapsed on Monday while practicing at USC, where he is expected to play college basketball beginning next season.

The rising basketball star was rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and later released from an intensive care unit. He is now in stable condition.

While many fans of Bronny, his father, and of basketball in general poured out in support of the young man’s recovery, others took a more conspiratorial tone, co-opting his health condition in an effort to push their own agendas.

Here’s everything we know about Bronny James’ collapse and hospitalisation.

READ MORE:

What happened to LeBron James’ son Bronny?

NBA star Lamar Odom offers support for Bronny

Tuesday 25 July 2023 20:30 , Graig Graziosi

NBA star Lamar Odom, a two-time National Champion during his time with the LA Lakers, offered his support to Bronny following the 18-year-old’s cardiac arrest.

“Sending prayers to Bronny and his family! Wishing a speedy recovery for this young man,” he wrote on Twitter.

Bronny’s incident is second for USC in two years

Tuesday 25 July 2023 19:54 , Graig Graziosi

Bronny is the second USC basketball player in two years to experience a cardiac event during a practice.

During a workout at the Galen Centre last sumer, incoming freshman Vincent Iwuchukwu suffered a cardiac arrest and required hospitalisation.

He recovered and went on to play in 14 games for the Trojans last season.

Professional athletes show support for Bronny

Tuesday 25 July 2023 19:15 , Graig Graziosi

Since news broke of his cardiac arrest, sports figures and commenters have offered support for Bronny as he recovers in the hospital.

Damar Hamlin, Donovan Mitchell, and Magic Johnson are just a few of the athletes who have offered sympathy statements in response to young athlete’s unfortunate health scare.

Damar Hamlin offers message of support to LeBron James’ family after son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest

Tuesday 25 July 2023 18:10 , Graig Graziosi

Damar Hamlin has sent out a message of support to the family of LeBron James, after his son Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball workout.

James was taken to hospital from his session at the University of Southern California (USC), where he has since been released from intensive care and is in a reportedly stable condition.

Buffalo Bills safety Hamlin suffered a similar incident in January when he suffered a cardiac arrest following a tackle in an NFL match against the Cincinnati Bengals. On that occasion he needed CPR on the field and was hospitalised for over a week before his release, while support was shown to him and his family from all sides of any sporting divides including from fans and fellow athletes.READ MORE:

Damar Hamlin offers message of support after Bronny James suffers cardiac arrest

WATCH: Stephen A Smith reacts to Bronny James’ hospitalisation

Tuesday 25 July 2023 17:26 , Graig Graziosi

Elon Musk baselessly hints that Covid-19 vaccine was involved in Bronny’s collapse

Tuesday 25 July 2023 17:16 , Graig Graziosi

Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, insinuated on Tuesday that Bronny James’ cardiac arrest was the result of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“We cannot ascribe everything to the vaccine, but, by the same token, we cannot ascribe nothing. Myocarditis is a known side-effect. The only question is whether it is rare or common,” he wrote in response to a news story about the risisng basketball star.

LeBron James’ son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest at basketball workout

Tuesday 25 July 2023 16:55 , Graig Graziosi

LeBron James’ son, Bronny, has been rushed to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during a basketball workout, according to reports.

The 18-year-old son of NBA legend James is a rising basketball star in his own right and has committed to playing for USC Trojans at college next season, with an expectation that he’ll be drafted into the NBA in the near future.

He suffered the cardiac incident at USC (University of Southern California) on Monday, according to a report by TMZ, and was rushed to hospital, although he has since been released from the Intensive Care Unit and is in a stable condition.

READ MORE:

LeBron James’ son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest at basketball workout