Why Experts Think Damar Hamlin Might Have Experienced Commotio Cordis
BUFFALO BILLS SAFETY Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition, after going into cardiac arrest following a hit during a game Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Some experts believe the impact to his chest could have triggered a cardiac episode, called commotio cordis.
The condition results in a sudden irregular heart rhythm caused by blunt trauma to the chest, and it’s often deadly. While it's more common among young athletes, it’s a very rare condition, with only about two dozen cases reported every year. And, it doesn’t just happen in sports—any blow to the chest that occurs at a specific time and lands in just the right place can trigger commotio cordis.
Swift action to administer CPR and shock the heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED) can increase someone’s chance of survival in these instances. Medical personnel attended to 24-year-old Hamlin for ten minutes, and according to the Bills, his heartbeat was restored on the field before he was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
The team said Hamlin went into cardiac arrest. He was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he’s undergoing testing and treatment. He’s sedated and listed in critical condition.
Cardiac arrest can occur suddenly, even in people who seem healthy and don’t have existing heart problems, and recovery is possible. Here’s a look at what exactly cardiac arrest is, why many experts believe commotio cordis could have played a role in Hamlin's case, and what it might be like to recover from the condition.
What Is Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest refers to a sudden loss of heart function—and, the person experiencing it may or may not have existing heart problems or a heart disease diagnosis, according to the American Heart Association. It can happen suddenly or along with other symptoms.
As a physician I believe Damar Hamlin was likely suffering from commotio cordis where a blow to the chest at a precise moment in the electrical cycle stops the heart. Those trying to tie this to vaccine status to project their unscientific beliefs are terrible, horrible people. pic.twitter.com/H5KNnHPZMK
— Chris Haddock (@drdawg1996) January 3, 2023
It can be deadly. But, it’s also reversible if CPR is performed immediately and an AED is used to shock the heart to help restore its normal rhythms.
Cardiac arrest is fairly common, causing 300,000 to 450,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It can be caused by:
Electrical abnormalities in the heart
Heart tissue scarring
Heart muscle thickening
Blood vessel abnormalities
Heart medications
Drug use
Cardiac Arrest Isn’t a Heart Attack
Cardiac arrest and heart attacks aren’t the same, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 3, 2023
Cardiac arrest is caused when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops beating properly.
A heart attack is usually caused by a blockage that restricts or stops blood flow to the heart. The loss of blood supply causes heart muscle tissue to die.
What Is Commotio Cordis?
When someone takes a hard hit to the chest, it can trigger a change in the heart’s rhythm that often results in sudden death. This is known as commotio cordis.
The condition doesn’t necessarily damage the heart muscle—it changes the heart’s electrical signals, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can happen even when someone doesn’t have a pre-existing heart condition.
Commotio cordis is rare, but it’s said to be the leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes. Still, there are just about 30 reported cases a year. The National Commotio Cordis Registry was created to track cases.
The condition tends to be linked to sports, but any blunt chest injury, such as from a car accident or fall, could cause commotio cordis.
The timing and location of the impact matters, too. It has to occur during a heartbeat and hit near the center of the heart’s left ventricle, or lower heart chamber. Striking at a specific time can trigger ventricular fibrillation, or an irregular heart rhythm.
Symptoms of Commotio Cordis
Someone experiencing commotio cordis might stumble, lose consciousness, and collapse after taking a blow to the chest. That’s similar to Hamlin’s reaction on the field.
There likely won’t be visible trauma to the chest. And, someone might stop breathing.
Can You Recover From Commotio Cordis?
It is possible to recover from commotio cordis if immediate action is taken after the hit to the chest. CPR and using an AED as quickly as possible offer the best chance of survival.
For every minute of delay in being shocked by an AED, the survival rate drops 10%. Continued AED use and CPR until emergency services arrive are recommended.
Research shows that resuscitation within three minutes led to a survival rate of 25%, but when it goes beyond three minutes, the survival rate drops to 3%.
Someone needs a physician’s clearance before playing sports or participating in other activities following an episode. Often, their abnormal heart rhythms won’t continue after treatment—as they typically didn’t have heart problems before the impact triggered commotio cordis.
If the arrhythmias do continue, someone might need continued treatment with medication or possibly a pacemaker. In these cases, someone might be advised to give up sports long term.
You Might Also Like
