Jim Harbaugh misses the start of Chargers vs Broncos due to illness: What is his condition?

Today, Jim Harbaugh experienced a minor Health scare when he suffered from atrial flutter, a heart condition characterized by an abnormal and often rapid heart rhythm. Thankfully, his heart returned to its normal sinus rhythm after a medical evaluation.

He even had to go to the Chargers medical tent, where the medical team supervised him and gave him the green light to return to the sidelines.

Former player and now much better coach Jim Harbaugh has faced similar Health challenges before. He underwent two previous ablation procedures to address arrhythmias—one in 1999 and another in 2012. Despite this latest episode, he remains confident in understanding and managing the condition.

“I’ve had a couple of ablations for arrhythmia, and I’m qualified to talk about it. This is part of my experience,” Harbaugh shared with the journalist at the post-game press conference.

What is atrial flutter?

The American Heart Association defines Atrial flutter as an organized arrhythmia originating from the heart’s atria, characterized by a fast but regular rhythm. It is distinct from the more common atrial fibrillation, which features an irregular rhythm. Despite their differences, both conditions share a similar risk: the potential for thrombus (blood clot) formation within the atria, making anticoagulants a key component in their treatment.

Atrial flutter typically arises from the right atrium, though it can occasionally originate from the left atrium. The atrial rate during an episode is usually around 300 beats per minute. However, not all of these impulses reach the ventricles, thanks to the atrioventricular (AV) node, which reduces the number of conducted impulses. When there is a 2:1 conduction to the ventricles, the ventricular rate is around 150 beats per minute.

Treatment for atrial flutter often begins with antiarrhythmic medications. If these prove ineffective, electrical cardioversion can restore a normal heart rhythm. Because atrial flutter is caused by a sizeable reentrant circuit (macro-reentry), it is highly responsive to cardioversion, which requires relatively low energy compared to atrial fibrillation.