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Medical records have disclosed that wrestling icon Hulk Hogan succumbed to an acute myocardial infarction, the medical term for a heart attack, when he passed away aged 71.
Documentation from the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center unveiled that the WWE legend had been privately fighting chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells that he never publicly acknowledged.
The examination additionally indicated the sports entertainer had experienced atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm condition.
The wrestler, whose legal name was Terry Bollea, went into cardiac arrest at his Clearwater mansion valued at $11.5 million before being transported to hospital where he was declared dead on July 24.
The manner of death was classified as natural causes.
The family has arranged for cremation of the body, according to a representative from the forensic centre who spoke to Page Six.
The 71-year-old had been experiencing serious medical problems for several months prior to the cardiac event that claimed his life.
His wife, Sky Daily, had attempted to dispel concerns about his condition on social media in the weeks before his death, asserting that his heart remained “strong” and dismissing rumours of oxygen deprivation or neurological damage.
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Reuters | Hulk Hogan tragically died at the age of 71 after a suspected cardiac arrest
“None of these rumors are true,” she informed her Instagram followers.
In a poignant message following his passing, she expressed disbelief at the loss: “He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed he would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time.”
The wrestling star had undergone significant spinal surgery in May, receiving a four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure to address compressed nerves in his neck.
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Following the operation, he experienced complications that required hospitalisation.
By June, reports emerged suggesting he had lost sensation in his lower limbs and required walking assistance, though his wife maintained he was progressing well in his recovery.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia develops gradually in bone marrow, creating excessive abnormal white blood cells that cannot effectively combat infections.
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WWE Talent and Legends, along with Nick Hogan, pay tribute to Hulk Hogan during Monday Night RAW
The condition often remains symptomless for extended periods, potentially explaining why the diagnosis remained private.
Hogan’s daughter Brooke shared an emotional tribute despite their complicated relationship, stating: “My dad’s blood runs through my veins. His eyes shine through my children. And our bond has never broken, not even in his final moments.”
She revealed feeling his departure before receiving official notification: “When he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him. I felt it before the news even reached us.”
Brooke honoured her father by naming her daughter Molly Gene, incorporating his surname.
His son Nick described him as his “best friend” in a moving Instagram tribute.