Triple H and 3 other WWE legends who had heart issues in the last decade

WWE Superstars are seemingly immortal. As well-trained athletes with strict diet regimens, most wrestlers lead a healthy and active life. However, history has proven they are just as human as the average male adult.

The incidences of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases have risen markedly in the wrestling community. This listicle explores four WWE legends who had heart issues in the last decade.

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#4. Triple H had a near-death heart experience in September 2021

Modern-day kids may see Triple H as an on-screen authority figure or "The Father of NXT." However, hardcore wrestling fans remember the Chief Content Officer of WWE as "The Cerebral Assassin," whose memorable 25-year career was tragically cut short by a serious cardiac event.

Hunter suffered from a severe case of viral pneumonia that rapidly progressed into a major, life-threatening cardiac event in September 2021. Detailing fans of the tragic incident, the fourteen-time World Champion explained his illness on First Take in 2022.

"I was in heart failure. Bad. By the next morning, as they figured that out in the evening, the next morning as they were sending me down to get an MRI done and go in for a heart cath, my injection fracture was down to a 12," he said. [0:57 in the video below]

With a defibrillator in his chest, Hunter announced his retirement from professional wrestling on the same show. The underlying issue had little to do with in-ring action because it was largely influenced by genetic factors.

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#3. WWE Hall of Famer Ultimate Warrior suffered a sudden fatal cardiac arrest

The Ultimate Warrior was once-pegged to be the next "Hulk Hogan." One of the most charismatic superstars of all time, Warrior's energy and enthusiasm enthralled fans all over the globe despite his controversial backstage history.

Following an ugly lawsuit and an egregious parting of ways, Warrior and WWE thankfully mended fences in 2014, when the iconic legend was rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In what was his final public appearance, Warrior summed up his legacy in a memorable promo on the RAW after WrestleMania 30.

“No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own,” Warrior said. “Every man’s heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others, it makes them bleed deeper and something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized.”

Less than 24 hours after his last promo, Warrior collapsed and died of a sudden heart attack in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Hall of Famer's passing was characterized as abrupt, but he was experiencing discomforting signs and symptoms in the days leading up to his passing.

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#2. Rowdy Roddy Piper

From one Hall of Famer to another, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper also dealt with cardiovascular diseases that ultimately contributed to his death in July 2015.

The charismatic villain suffered from chronic hypertension that led to a cardiopulmonary arrest in his sleep. According to TMZ, pulmonary embolism may have also been a contributing factor.

Piper was honored with the traditional ten-bell salute on the first episode of RAW following his death.

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#1. WWE Hall of Famer Big Van Vader

One of the most criminally underrated Superstars of all time, Vader was one of the most intimidating, entertaining, and athletic wrestlers of his generation. He was known for taking quite a few bumps, and most of his encounters were brutal.

The brutality and physicality of pro wrestling and football eventually took their toll on the late Hall of Famer. In a tweet sent out in November 2016, Vader announced that he had only two years left to live due to congestive heart failure.

The super-heavyweight's passion for wrestling knew no bounds as he continued to wrestle despite his life-threatening condition. Almost two years later, Vader passed away in June 2018.