Jim Harbaugh details scary atrial flutter episode on Chargers sideline in Week 6

During the first quarter of Sunday's game in Denver, LA Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh left the sideline with trainers. DC Jesse Minter took over as head coach while Harbaugh was being looked at by team doctors. Harbaugh was able to return to the game shortly after. The CBS broadcast game revealed that Harbaugh suffered a cardiac arrhythmia episode.

Harbaugh would go on to address this in his postgame press conference. The Chargers head coach said that he suffered from an atrial flutter — a heartbeat that was irregular. He said he felt it briefly on Saturday night and in the team's pregame warmups before kickoff.

In describing his history with arrhythmia episodes, Harbaugh said that he underwent an ablation procedure on his heart in 1999. An arrhythmia episode reoccurred in 2012 during a 49ers Monday Night Football game, per Harbaugh.

Jim Harbaugh suffers atrial flutter episode on Chargers sideline

Ablation is a medical procedure that blocks abnormal electrical signals from causing abnormal heart rhythms. Harbaugh mentioned that he underwent an ablation procedure in 1999 and then "again" in 2012. Whether that procedure is on the table again is unclear. Harbaugh said he would have a follow-up and meet with his cardiologist tomorrow.

As far as we know, Harbaugh went on to finish the game with no complications. Justin Herbert said he was unaware of Harbaugh's cardiac episode and that he was a "tough guy" who did a good job of hiding it. Herbert was informed by Harbaugh of his cardiac arrhythmia last night but did not realize in real time that it caused him to leave the game.

"He told us he was just really excited for the game," Herbert said. "But that's definitely something he should get checked out."

Harbaugh's brother, John Harbaugh, abruptly ended his Ravens' postgame media availability when he was informed of Harbaugh leaving the sideline:

Harbaugh jokingly referred to his heart condition as good luck for team victories: "2-0 with arrhythmias."

As it stands right now, it doesn't seem that there is a long-term concern surrounding Harbaugh's availability going forward. But we'll likely know more later this week after the Chargers' head coach undergoes cardiac evaluations and meets with his cardiologist.

Safe to say, the Chargers secured a win in Denver and avoided anything worse manifesting from Harbaugh's heart condition. Los Angeles was able to hold onto a lead in Denver for once. Their 23-16 win was their first win at Mile High since 2018. It brings them to 3-2 and snaps their two-game losing streak they came into the bye week with.