Hulk Hogan's Cause Of Death Is Tragically Too Common

Former WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan was known for his signature move — tearing open his shirt to reveal his muscular chest. Despite his physical strength from years in the ring and a fitness transformation in 2023, Hogan died from cardiac arrest at age 71 (per ESPN).

Page Six reports that Hogan's official cause of death was a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack and cardiac arrest are not the same. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, while cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical malfunction that stops the heart. A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest.

A heart attack is one of many forms of heart disease. Heart disease is not only the leading cause of death in the United States but also worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that someone dies of heart disease every 34 seconds. A heart attack occurs every 40 seconds. (Know about the warning signs of heart disease you should never ignore.)

Hogan also had a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to his forensic report (via Page Six). AFib is another form of heart disease that causes the heart to beat rapidly or irregularly. According to the Heart Foundation, AFib can significantly increase the risk of stroke or heart failure.

Three major risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Diabetes and obesity can also increase your risk, along with lifestyle habits such as a poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption.

In a 2023 interview with Men's Health, Hogan admitted he had a poor diet and drank heavily, but said he made significant lifestyle changes. He lost weight after cutting back on alcohol and began eating healthier. As a result, he was able to train more consistently and ultimately dropped 40 pounds. (Here's what you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease.)

Rumors about Hogan's heart issues began circulating in June. The Tampa-based radio show Bubba the Love Sponge reported that Hogan had been hospitalized for a heart problem following complications from a neck fusion surgery three weeks earlier. According to the show, Hogan's condition was so serious that there were concerns he might not survive.

Hogan had suffered numerous injuries throughout his wrestling career, which took a serious toll on his body. He told social media influencer and wrestler Logan Paul that he had undergone 25 surgeries in the last 10 years of his life. Some of these surgeries left him struggling to walk (via Today).