REVEALED: Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on January 2 was caused by commotio cordis – a direct blow to the chest that disrupts the heart’s rhythm…
- Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on January 2 on the field in Cincinnati
- He told reporters Tuesday that it was the result of commotio cordis
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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin announced his intention to return to the NFL following his near-death experience in Cincinnati on Jan. 2, and in doing so, the 25-year-old also revealed the cause of his on-field cardiac arrest: commotio cordis.
“It’s a direct blow to a specific point in your heartbeat that causes cardiac arrest,” Hamlin told reporters Tuesday after his workout with teammates at the Bills facility in Orchard Park, New York.
“Five to seven seconds later you fall out and that’s pretty much what everyone saw on January 2 of this year.”
Hamlin tackled Bengals receiver Tee Higgins during that game before getting back to his feet, staggering and collapsing on the turf of Paycor Stadium, where he required CPR. He was administered oxygen, placed on a stretcher and rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.
There was widespread speculation that Hamlin had suffered from commotio cordis, but that diagnosis was not confirmed until Tuesday’s press conference, where the Pittsburgh resident said he hopes to raise awareness about the condition.
As he explained Tuesday, Damar Hamlin suffered commotio cordis on January 2 in Cincinnati
“Commotio cordis is the leading cause of death in youth athletes across all sports,” Hamlin said. “So that’s something I’m personally going to step into to change something.”
Although commotio cordis is the “leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes,” it is relatively rare, according to the National Institute of Health. Fewer than 30 cases are reported each year, according to the NIH.