It was hard enough to lose Hulk Hogan — a larger-than-life figure who wasn’t just a wrestling legend, but a cultural icon who defined generations. For decades, he was the face of strength, charisma, and showmanship, captivating fans with his signature moves, unforgettable catchphrases, and that iconic yellow bandana. His presence felt invincible. So when news of his passing broke, it sent shockwaves across the nation. But now, learning the cause behind his death makes it all feel even more devastating. Knowing what truly took down the Hulkster, a man who seemed untouchable, reminds us just how fragile life really is.

According to records obtained by Us Weekly and many other sources the cause of death was acute myocardial infarction, the medical term for a heart attack. He was 71. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, went into cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home on the morning of July 24. First responders attempted to revive him before he was transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Medical records have revealed Hulk Hogan's cause of death to be a heart attack.

The records also reveal that he was diagnosed with a form of cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, but details surrounding his condition is unknown.

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But that wasn’t all. The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center also confirmed that Hogan had a hidden medical history, a silent battle with CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), a type of cancer that affects white blood cells. On top of that, he had atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that often goes hand-in-hand with strokes and heart failure. None of these conditions had been made public during his lifetime.

His family confirmed his passing to the press, and the pain rippled across timelines. “This loss is sudden and impossible to process,” his wife Sky Daily, 46, wrote in a gut-wrenching Instagram post. Son Nick Hogan called his father his “best friend,” sharing emotional throwback photos. Even daughter Brooke Hogan, who had been estranged from her father in recent years, admitted that “when he left this earth, it felt like part of my spirit left with him.”

The wrestling ring may have been Hogan’s domain, but his legacy went far beyond dropkicks and championship belts. He was an entertainer, a symbol, a pop culture juggernaut. Whether you loved him or loathed his controversies, from racist remarks to a sex tape scandal to his Trump-era political alignment, Hulk Hogan was never a background character in anyone’s story.

“He’s the reason I even watched wrestling as a kid,” one fan posted on X. “This is like losing Superman.”

Another echoed the sentiment: “I can’t believe the Hulkster is gone. That man was wrestling.”

But behind the muscles, the mic work, and the memes, Hogan had been quietly battling his own body. He revealed in interviews that he’d undergone over 25 surgeries, 10 on his back alone. In 2023, he told Men’s Health that his body had essentially “shut down,” which led him to prioritize wellness and weight loss.

“I feel great,” he said at the time. “A little pain reminds you that you’re alive.”

Yet, pain would prove prophetic.

Statistically, heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States, with over 695,000 Americans dying from heart-related conditions each year, according to the CDC. A myocardial infarction (heart attack) happens every 40 seconds in the U.S., and many, like Hogan’s, end suddenly. And with AFib increasing the risk of stroke by five times, the condition remains a hidden threat, especially for aging adults.

Meanwhile, CLL, the type of leukemia Hogan reportedly had, is a slow-growing blood cancer, affecting approximately 21,000 people annually in the U.S. It can go undetected for years, particularly when it’s asymptomatic.

Hulk Hogan's death has been ruled as an acute myocardial infarction(heart attack). It was also noted that Hogan had been dealing with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

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Hogan is survived by wife Sky Daily, ex-wives Linda Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel, children Brooke and Nick Hogan, and grandchildren Oliver and Molly. According to officials, his body will be cremated.