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Chargers coach reveals heart condition prompted temporary exit from game

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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed a heart condition caused him to briefly exit the team’s 23-16 Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos.

‘It’s called atrial flutter,’ Harbaugh said after the game. ‘I got into an episode (Sunday).’

The 60-year-old coach said he was treated by doctors in the locker room and his heart returned to normal rhythm. He came back to the contest with a little over 7 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

‘Did an (electrocardiogram) and they said it was back to the sinus rhythm,’ Harbaugh said postgame. ‘And I said I feel good, so I got back there on the field.’

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Harbaugh told reporters he has had atrial flutter episodes before, including once as a head coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012.

Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter served as the team’s interim head coach while Harbaugh was in the locker room.

Harbaugh reiterated postgame that he’s feeling good. But the Chargers head coach does plan to be reevaluated by a cardiologist on Monday.

‘Trust the doctors,’ Harbaugh said. ‘It’s the heart so you take it seriously, right? Trust the doctors.’

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