When you think of Hulk Hogan, you probably picture the "24-inch pythons," the neon yellow spandex, and that booming voice telling you to say your prayers and eat your vitamins. He looked invincible. For decades, Terry Bollea—the man behind the bandana—seemed like a real-life superhero who could just "Hulk up" and shake off any injury. But the truth is a lot more complicated.
So, did Hulk Hogan have heart disease?
Yeah, he did. It wasn’t something he talked about much while he was alive, but the medical reality caught up with him in a big way. On July 24, 2025, the wrestling world stopped. Hogan passed away at the age of 71 after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
The Official Medical Verdict
For a while, there was a ton of speculation. People were talking about "deathbed" rumors and complications from back surgeries. But when the dust settled, the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center released the official cause of death.
It was an acute myocardial infarction.
Basically, that's a heart attack.
The records showed that Hogan had a history of atrial fibrillation, or AFib. If you aren't a doctor, that’s just a fancy way of saying his heart didn't beat in a steady rhythm. It quivered. When your heart does that, it doesn't pump blood efficiently, and it significantly raises your risk of blood clots and strokes.
But that wasn't the only thing going on under the surface.
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The Secret Battle Nobody Knew About
One of the most shocking things to come out of the post-mortem reports was that Hogan was also fighting chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
He kept it completely private.
CLL is a slow-growing cancer that affects white blood cells. It’s not a direct heart problem, but it beats your body down. It makes your immune system wonky and puts extra stress on your cardiovascular system. Combine that with AFib and a lifetime of physical trauma, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
His wife, Sky Daily, had been telling the press just weeks before his death that his heart was "strong." She wasn't necessarily lying—she likely believed it. But behind the scenes, he was reportedly struggling with shortness of breath and had even lost a significant amount of weight.
Why Did His Heart Give Out?
You can't talk about Hulk Hogan's health without talking about the "wrestling tax."
Hogan once told Logan Paul that he had undergone roughly 25 surgeries in a single decade. We’re talking ten back surgeries, hip replacements, knee replacements—the works. His body was essentially held together by titanium and sheer willpower.
Then there’s the elephant in the room: steroids.
Hogan admitted under oath during the 1994 federal trial against Vince McMahon that he had used anabolic steroids for years. While he claimed he used them "legally" to treat injuries and stay in shape, the long-term effects of performance-enhancing drugs on the heart are well-documented. Steroids can cause the heart muscle to thicken, a condition called left ventricular hypertrophy, which makes a heart attack way more likely as you age.
It's kind of a tragic irony.
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The very things that made him the biggest star on the planet—the massive muscles and the high-impact leg drops—were the same things that were wearing his ticker down.
The Warning Signs in the Final Weeks
In the weeks leading up to July 2025, there were whispers that things weren't right.
Bubba the Love Sponge, a long-time associate, had mentioned on his radio show that Hogan was in poor health. Hogan’s camp pushed back, claiming he was just recovering from a neck procedure (an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, for the nerds out over the specifics).
But looking back, the signs of did Hulk Hogan have heart disease were there.
- Extreme Fatigue: Sources claimed he was getting tired just walking around his mansion.
- Weight Loss: He looked noticeably leaner in his final public appearances.
- Oxygen Use: Some reports suggested he was using supplemental oxygen at home toward the end.
The Takeaway for Everyone Else
Hulk Hogan’s story isn't just a "celebrity tragedy." It’s a pretty stark reminder that you can't outrun your history.
Even if you’re the most famous athlete in the world, the heart doesn't care about your legacy. AFib is a manageable condition if caught early, but it’s silent. You might just feel a little "fluttery" or tired and think you're just getting old.
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If you have a history of high-intensity physical stress, or if you've ever used supplements that mess with your hormones, getting regular EKGs is non-negotiable.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re worried about your own heart health or want to avoid the issues Hogan faced, here is the move:
- Get a Screen: Ask your doctor specifically for an EKG to check for AFib, especially if you feel palpitations.
- Monitor Your Breath: Shortness of breath isn't just "being out of shape." It’s often the first sign of a weakening heart.
- Be Honest About History: If you have a history of using PEDs or intense physical trauma, tell your cardiologist. They aren't the police; they just need to know how much stress your heart has actually been under.
Hogan’s death marked the end of an era. He was the guy who made wrestling mainstream, but in the end, he was just a man with a heart that had been through too much.
Rest in peace, Hulkster.