Rare heart injury at a professional football game this week

CINCINNATI, OH – January 2, 2023 – At the Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills on January 2nd, Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin tackled Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins who had caught a pass. After getting up, Hamlin collapsed backwards from a cardiac arrest. Within seconds, Buffalo’s medical staff performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore normal heart rhythm. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further medical care. Hamlin was admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition.

There has been much speculation about the cause of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. Some reasons may be congenital or traumatic. Most cardiac arrests in young people are due to a congenital heart condition. Many medical specialists have speculated that Hamlin sustained commotio cordis, a rare but serious condition that can occur after blunt trauma to the chest, because it appeared that Hamlin slammed his chest into the shoulder of Higgins as he made the tackle. The force must be strong enough and occur at a very specific moment between heart beats to have an effect on the heart. These factors can cause a harmful disruption of the heart rhythm resulting in the loss of the ability of the heart to pump blood to the body, depriving the body, including vital organs like the brain, from getting oxygen. Cardiac resuscitation within minutes is essential to keep the person alive. Any delay of more than 3 minutes increases the risk of death to nearly 100%.

Commotio cordis is more common when the chest is struck by a ball or a puck, as in lacrosse, baseball or hockey. This injury occurs more frequently in young people; the average age is about 15 years old. The heart may be at more risk in young athletes because of a thinner chest wall than in older participants.

As told to CBS Sports, Dr. Aaron Baggish, a cardiologist from Massachusetts General- Brigham Hospitals and sports cardiology specialist, “as a fan who also happens to be a doctor, I’m cognizant of the risk these athletes assume when they decide to play these sports, and I support their decisions to do so, but it’s always sad when something like this occurs.” He hopes that medical teams “need to be ready for the unexpected catastrophe.”

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

ASHEVILLE, NC – January 11, 2022 – Cases and hospitalizations are rising in Buncombe County, North Carolina and the country. There is a surge of respiratory disease as people spend more time indoors during the winter months and due to an increase in indoor gatherings and travel during the holidays. The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County is medium for the week ending January 2nd. Last week the community level was low. Most of the counties in North Carolina are high. Most of the counties in the U.S. are at a medium level with almost 20% of the counties at a high level.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on December 31st indicate:
• Last week’s total cases are 470, up 21% from the previous week.
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 30% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased by 47% since last week, and of ICU patients increased by 50% from the previous week.

An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for eligible persons 6 months and older. It is more effective at protecting against severe illness and death from the new variants. Eligible persons must have the initial vaccination series and be at least 2 months after any prior COVID-19 shots. The CDC advises delaying the booster 3 months for people who recently had COVID or after a positive COVID test if they were asymptomatic.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

For a county at a medium community level, like Buncombe County, the CDC recommends:
• If you are at high risk for getting sick, wear a high-quality mask in a public indoors space and take additional precautions.
• If you plan being with someone at high risk for getting sick, consider self-testing for COVID-19 infection and wear a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

The updated booster shot is available at the Department of Public Health Coxe Avenue vaccination clinic, pharmacies, community health centers and rural health clinics.

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]