Hulk Hogan died of cardiac arrest? New details on WWE legend's death emerge after ‘serious’ medical issue

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan's sudden death Thursday after a "serious medical issue" came after his friends and family tried to quash reports that he was in failing health in recent weeks. Hulk, who also starred in reality TV show 'Hogan Knows Best', died following a reported cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida, home early Thursday morning, according to TMZ. The wrestling mega-star died about an hour after medics responded to his Florida home and the initial 911 call at 10 a.m. was for cardiac arrest, according to audio obtained by TMZ.

Hulk Hogan's death reason revealed

Florida authorities have released a statement detailing the exact circumstances surrounding Hulk Hogan's unexpected death. “[Hogan] was experiencing a serious medical related issue,” the Clearwater Police Department told reporters during a brief press conference after the death.

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Hogan was taken to a nearby hospital but that he died around 11:17 a.m. No official cause of death was revealed, though officials confirmed foul play was not suspected. Though police have not revealed the "serious medical issue" but his family called 911 to report his cardiac arrest.

According to New York Post, Hulk Hogan has undergone 25 surgeries and had health problems from steroid use and the repeated punishment he sustained during his 40 years in the ring.

But his death left many wondering about recent rumors that Hogan was on his deathbed — or even paralyzed in a coma. Concerns about Hulk Hogan's death had emerged after radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge reported his deteriorating health; the wrestling icon had neck surgery in May followed by another "pretty serious" cardiac procedure just one month afterward.

“Allegedly Hogan is in the hospital and I’ve heard people say that he might not make it,” said Todd Clem that month on his widely listened to Florida radio program, “The Bubba the Love Sponge Show.” Todd Chem said his information came from a “pretty damn reliable” source.

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What is Hulk Hogan's wife saying?

Hulk Hogan’s reps denied the health claims, with his wife Sky Daily explaining that he’d only undergone a neck surgery in May and was quickly recovering. As of July, Clem hadn’t let up on the rumors, saying at one point “I don’t know if we’ll ever see Hogan again.”

After news broke of Hogan's death, Clearwater Police Department officer Nate Burnside released an official statement.

He explained: "Just before 10 a.m. today, Clearwater Fire and Rescue, along with the Clearwater Police Department, responded to a house in the 1,000 block of El Dorado Avenue for a medical-related call.

"It was discovered at the time that Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was experiencing a serious medical-related issue. Personnel provided medical treatment at that time and transported Mr. Bollea to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 11.17 a.m.

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"The Clearwater Police Department is conducting a death investigation which is standard in these types of cases. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service at this time.

"Our personnel is providing the family with the necessary resources. I'm strongly encouraging everyone to keep the family in their thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time.

"We will not be answering any questions but we will provide additional information when it becomes available.

"Any public records request should be filed through our public records section with the Clearwater Police Department. No records will be released today. "Our thoughts are with the family and again we ask everyone to respect their privacy during this difficult time."

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Hulk Hogan's steroid controversy

At the peak of his wrestling fame in the 1980s, Hulk Hogan found himself caught in a scandal surrounding steroid use in the industry. While he initially denied using the performance-enhancing drugs, he eventually admitted to it.

He also opened up about the toll his career took on his body.

“I’d had to endure 25 procedures, including ten to my back, facial operations from being kicked, knee and hip replacements and abdominal and shoulder surgeries,” Hogan told Muscle and Health in 2023.

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The recoveries were so debilitating at times – particularly from the back operations – that Hogan eventually found himself “hitting the pain pills hard.”

“I had doctors writing me prescription after prescription, and all of a sudden, it became a vicious cycle,” Hogan said. “It got to a point where I’d recovered from the tenth back surgery, and the pharmacy would call me and say, ‘Your prescription’s ready,’ and like a dog chasing a bone, I’d go pick it up.”

Hogan also found himself struggling to control his drinking at times, too.

He eventually quit booze and pills altogether around 2023 — and was baptized with his wife in December of that year.