What is a cardiac ablation? Why Jim Harbaugh needs surgery for heart condition

NFL players, coaches and staff put their bodies on the line every season. They sacrifice health, time, energy and more for a chance to win a Super Bowl.

When that season eventually comes to an end, it's time to catch up on all those things that were swept under the rug. Surgeries are scheduled, the calendar opens up and preparations are underway for the following campaign.

Look no further than Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.

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He is set for a busy offseason after his first year back in the NFL. Harbaugh is slated for heart surgery and will also get a hip replacement before next season kicks off.

While the coach seems primed to avoid the physically unable to perform list in training camp, he'll also want to avoid being on the injury report when the preseason rolls around.

Here's the latest on Harbaugh, including his condition, cardiac ablations and how long it will take to recover.

JIM HARBAUGH HEART CONDITION: Why Chargers coach left game with 'atrial flutter'

Jim Harbaugh heart condition

Harbaugh has what's called an atrial flutter, which is a type of arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat at an abnormally high rate.

The coach departed the Chargers' Week 6 game against the Broncos in the first quarter after it acted up on him.

Harbaugh was examined by the Chargers' medical staff before returning to the sidelines later in the opening quarter. He was given intravenous fluids and had various tests performed.

"Did an [electrocardiogram], and they said it was back to the sinus rhythm," Harbaugh told reporters. "And I said I feel good, so I got back there on the field."

Harbaugh revealed at L.A.'s end-of-year news conference that he'll be undergoing a cardiac ablation to treat the issue.

What is a cardiac ablation?

A cardiac ablation is a treatment for irregular heartbeats. It's described by the Cleveland Clinic as a "minimally invasive procedure that creates scars to stop the electrical impulses that cause irregular heart rhythms."

They add that the procedure can be used to manage abnormal heart rhythms if they don't respond to medication.

The Cleveland Clinic detailed how the surgery is done:

"A cardiologist (heart specialist) performs a cardiac ablation by inserting a catheter (tube) through a blood vessel to your heart," the site reads. "They use heat (radiofrequency ablation), cold (cryoablation) or short bursts of energy (pulsed field) to create scars in areas where the arrhythmia starts. These scars help block abnormal electrical impulses and prevent abnormal rhythms."

Per the Cleveland Clinic, patients typically receive sedation or general anesthesia. The scars do not cause any pain or impact the heart, but rather impact the tissues causing the problem.

The surgery can take two to four hours to complete, but can go longer and ultimately varies from person to person.

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Cardiac ablation recovery time

Per the Cleveland Clinic, patients stay at the hospital for six to eight hours after a cardiac ablation procedure. Patients can potentially go home that night, or stay overnight depending on their condition.

It can take weeks to heal completely from the surgery, however, and strenuous exercise is to be avoided for at least a week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Jim Harbaugh's heart condition? Atrial flutter, explained