"Addressing Commotio Cordis in Damar Hamlin's Case"

Damar Hamlin's near-fatal collapse during a Monday Night Football game last January has brought attention to commotio cordis, a rare but often lethal heart disruption that is among the most common causes of sudden cardiac death in competitive sports. While commotio cordis is seen most often in baseball, lacrosse, and hockey, it can also be triggered by the impact of an elbow, fist, or helmet in other sports. The debate now is whether commotio cordis protective gear should be more prevalent or even required in certain sports.