Doctors believe that Commotio Cordis caused Damar Hamlin heart attack. Learn about its meaning, symptoms, and whether or not it can be survived
During Week 17 of the NBA 2022-23 season, the whole sporting world was shocked to hear about Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s sudden cardiac arrest. This tragic incident occurred during the first quarter of the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, leaving everyone in tears and praying for him. While tackling Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin experienced a sudden cardiac arrest after being hit in the chest.
What is Commotio Cordis which caused Damar Hamlin cardiac arrest, its meaning, symptoms, treatment window in sports
Hamlin collapsed on the field and was left motionless. He was given CPR and quickly taken to the intensive care unit at Cincinnati University Medical Center. Many specialists in the field and major doctors believe Commotio Cordis was the primary cause of his cardiac arrest. In this post, we will try to explain Commotio Cordis in detail, including its meaning, symptoms, and whether or not it can be prevented.
What is Commotio Cordis?
Many doctors and specialists believe Commotio Cordis is the primary cause of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. But what exactly is Commotio Cordis? Cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation and unexpected cardiac arrest, can be deadly in both heart contusions. Commotio cordis should be differentiated from cardiac contusion or blunt cardiac injury, a situation in which forceful chest trauma generates structural heart damage, as is suspected in Hamlin’s case.
Commotio cordis means “cardiac disturbance” in Latin. It is described as rapid cardiac death caused by lowish front chest wall blunt trauma. The condition is common in athletes who participate in sports such as baseball, hockey, and football and the sport with more physical body contact. The occurrence of the condition is generally common in young male athletes.
What are its symptoms?
Some of the usual symptoms of the Commotio Cordis include a sudden collapse with fumbling for a few seconds earlier, unresponsiveness, not breathing, no heartbeat, blue or purplish skin owing to a lack of oxygen, seizures, and chest injury.
Whether or not it can be prevented?
In many cases of the condition, it is a difficult struggle for life, although the odds of surviving the Commotio Cordis are great if quick action is performed after the damage to the chest. The good news in the instance of Damar Hamlin is that he was revived on the scene, which increases his chances of life while remaining in the severe situation at the ICU.
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