Jim Harbaugh update: Chargers HC will wear heart monitor on sidelines
By Mike Luciano
The LA Chargers may have beaten Bo Nix and the rival Denver Broncos on the back of a dominant defensive performance orchestrated by head coach Jim Harbaugh, but the big story from the Week 6 victorywasn’tanything that took place on the field.
Harbaugh, who moved to 3-2 as head coach of the Chargers, had to briefly leave the game due to a heart condition that can cause irregular heartbeats. Luckily for Harbaugh, his family, and the chargers, the injury was not debilitating and he didn't need to be removed from the contest due to it.
This situation rightly got the collective blood pressure of the Chargers' fanbase up a few notches. Harbaugh seems to be in relatively good shape for someone his age coming off a heart episode, and new information makes it seem like he is taking as many steps as possible to prevent this from happening again.
Harbaugh's cardiologist said that his episode was "atrial flutter", which will force the coach to wear a heart monitor on the sideline. According to Harbaugh, he could still get an ablation procedure, which would use either hot or cold air to destroy tissue in his heart causing the issues.
Jim Harbaugh back in the building. He said he saw a cardiologist this morning and got confirmation his episode was atrial flutter. Harbaugh is wearing a heart monitor. Said he will wear the monitor for two weeks before being reevaluated. An ablation procedure remains an option. pic.twitter.com/oUmZqQ9AZE
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 14, 2024
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh to wear heart monitor on sidelines
Harbaugh went to the locker room during the Denver game. After an electrocardiogram scan, he was able to get his heart pumping normally and return to the game after briefly leaving. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who has excelled since taking the job, served as the interim coach while Harbaugh was out.
Harbaugh has apparently been dealing with this for some time, as he cracked a joke saying he was 2-0 in games with heart episodes after bringing up a similar contest when he coached the San Francisco 49ers. Harbaugh seems to have managed this ailment to a point where it rarely comes up during games.
The Chargers will obviously be more cautious than before, as they don't want to push Harbaugh and impact his life outside of football. However, it appears that he is receiving sterling treatment and will be able to continue leading LA to the postseason in what has become a very impressive 2024 start.
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