"Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh to Utilize Monitor Following Heart Incident"
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh informed the media on Monday that he will be utilizing a heart monitor for the next 14 days, following a brief departure from Sunday's game in Denver due to an irregular heartbeat.
During this time, Harbaugh will also be taking a blood thinner after consulting with a cardiologist on Monday. He stated that the doctors did not recommend any immediate procedures and he will adhere to their instructions while continuing to coach.
"I am quite confident that I know what this is and how to handle it," Harbaugh stated. "However, as always, I will consult with the doctors and follow their guidance."
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Harbaugh was absent from the beginning of Sunday's game after experiencing atrial flutter, a type of arrhythmia that can cause the heart to beat up to 350 times per minute.
The first-year coach entered the Chargers' medical tent shortly before kickoff and was then treated by paramedics in the locker room. He returned in the first quarter and coached the rest of Los Angeles' 23-16 victory.
The 60-year-old Harbaugh revealed that he had previously experienced a similar heart issue while coaching for the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. That same year, he underwent an ablation, a procedure that uses heat or cold energy to eliminate tissue causing the irregular heartbeat. According to ESPN, he had also undergone an ablation in 1999.
The high altitude in Denver can reduce oxygen levels in the blood and put more strain on the heart, but Harbaugh stated that he had been feeling off even before the Chargers' trip to Denver.
Harbaugh acknowledged that he may need a heart procedure in the future, but for now, he has no intention of stepping away from his coaching duties.
"It would take my heart stopping for me to not be on the sideline," he declared.
Los Angeles (3-2) will face the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) on "Monday Night Football" in Week 7.
