WWE Icon Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71
WWE superstar Hulk Hogan, aged 71, died on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest. While the exact events leading to his death haven’t been confirmed, sources suggest that Hogan had been dealing with various health issues for several years.
In a September 2024 appearance on Jake Paul’s “Impulse” podcast, Hogan opened up about undergoing 25 surgeries in the past decade, which included ten back surgeries, shoulder procedures, and replacements for both knees and hips.
He discussed the difference between today’s wrestling environment and the hazardous equipment of the 1970s, describing a ring measuring 22 feet that had “lumps” and “boards protruding out.” He noted, “It was horrifying,” referencing the risks he faced during his career, and reflected on how he might have benefited from stepping back sooner. “But I loved doing it—the money was just crazy,” he said.
Despite the physical toll, Hogan expressed no regrets about his career in wrestling.
Health Challenges Over the Years
According to reports from March 2025, Hogan underwent neck surgery to alleviate pain. Recently, his wife, Sky Daily, dispelled rumors of her husband being in a coma following another surgery, stating, “He was strong and never had a lack of oxygen or brain damage.”
In her posts, she detailed Hogan’s recovery from an extensive anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, a surgery that involves a long healing process and affects not only the spine but also the vocal cords.
A Legacy Marked by Struggles
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst at Fox News, noted that Hogan shouldn’t be reduced solely to his health struggles, even though they played a significant role in his life. He mentioned Hogan’s history with steroid use, his many surgeries, and how these factors contributed to his declining health, eventually leading to his cardiac arrest.
A study from the University of East Michigan highlighted that wrestlers aged 45 to 54 are nearly three times more likely to die prematurely compared to the average population, indicating a broader pattern among professional wrestlers.
Dr. Siegel noted Hogan’s longstanding pain but emphasized that he served as a role model for many even in his later years.
Understanding Cardiac Arrest
Dr. Bradley Selwer, a cardiologist, explained that without direct knowledge of Hogan’s medical history, it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise cause of his sudden cardiac arrest. Commonly, such events are linked to heart attacks or ischemic heart disease. He described how muscle tissue can die due to a lack of oxygen during a heart attack, leading to abnormal heart rhythms, which may cause rapid death as the heart fails to pump blood effectively.
The survival rate for cardiac arrests occurring outside of hospital settings is notably low, estimated at around 10%. However, immediate reactions like CPR or defibrillation can raise that rate considerably.
