Jim Harbaugh Will Have Ablation And Hip Surgery

“Yeah, an ablation on the heart,” the 61-year-old Harbaugh said.

“Going to get a hip replacement, too,” said Harbaugh, who walked with a noticeable limp this season. “Soon.”

Harbaugh’s heart condition is well-known considering the issue he had in Week 6. He left the road game in Denver early in the first quarter due to an arrhythmia, otherwise known as an irregular heartbeat. The irregular heartbeat is something Harbaugh has dealt with in recent decades. He had a pair of prior episodes — once as a player and another as the 49ers Head Coach. During the Denver game Harbaugh was in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room. In the locker room he had his pulse and an EKG taken and received an IV and magnesium. After the game he wore a heart monitor for two weeks and took a blood thinner.

Harbaugh received such good care that he returned to the game to help the Chargers win the game. However, he did meet with a cardiologist on both Monday and Wednesday following the game.

Jim Harbaugh Will Have Ablation And Hip Surgery

So what exactly is a heart ablation? According to the Mayo Clinic:

“Cardiac ablation is a treatment for irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias. It uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart. The scars block faulty heart signals and restore a typical heartbeat.”

As for the hip replacement, it involves “removing the damaged sections of the hip joint and replaces them with parts usually constructed of metal, ceramic and very hard plastic. This artificial joint (prosthesis) helps reduce pain and improve function.”

The coach is excited to work with general manager Joe Hortiz regarding their offseason strategy. However, he’ll have to take time to handle his medical issues. Here’s hoping the procedures go well so that Harbaugh can continue his excellent work with the Chargers.