OLINDA, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 1, 2025 Elderly man at the gym added 44 lbs (20 kg) of extra weight to the bench press bar. However, he overestimated his abilities, couldn’t handle the weight, and the bar fell directly onto his chest. Unfortunately, the impact occurred at the exact moment his heart was in the so-called vulnerable ventricular depolarization phase. This is a very brief moment lasting only 10–30 milliseconds just before the ventricles complete their contraction. An impact to the heart at this precise moment can cause a deadly arrhythmia called Commotio cordis, which happened in this case.
Although he immediately threw the bar off himself and even managed to stand up, within moments he collapsed to the ground and stopped showing signs of life. Upon the arrival of paramedics, he was declared dead.
First aid in this situation is much more urgent than in a heart attack. While a patient having a heart attack may partially remain conscious, Commotio cordis leads to immediate, life-threatening arrhythmia. It is absolutely necessary to call emergency services immediately and start chest compressions as soon as possible. If more people are present, it is helpful to rotate performing compressions and assign someone to find an AED.
