(Source: New England Journal Of Medicine (NEJM))

What is commotio cordis?

Commotio cordis happens when a blunt hit to the chest stuns the heart. It's rare, but it's serious. It mostly affects young athletes playing contact sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse, though it can happen to anyone.

The hit doesn't have to be hard. There doesn't even have to be a visible injury. What matters is timing: if the impact lands during a narrow window of vulnerability in the heart's electrical cycle, it can cause the heart to stop beating effectively. That's cardiac arrest.

How is it managed?

CPR and defibrillation need to start as soon as possible. Survival rates drop fast with each passing minute. Beyond that, treatment may include medications to support blood flow and supportive care like oxygen therapy and monitoring.

Prevention

Chest protectors and padding help in contact sports. Coaches, athletes, and parents should know the signs and have access to an AED (automated external defibrillator). If someone takes a hit to the chest and collapses, don't wait. Start CPR and call for help immediately.

Further reading

Here is a detailed blog article written by a colleague and friend Collins A. Kwarteng MD, FACC, titled "The near tragedy during Monday Night Football - The Damar Hamlin Incident. Was It Commotio Cordis?".