SANTA CLARA -- Coach Jim Harbaugh walked through the 49ers' locker room Friday during the lunch period. It was just another day at work after a day that was decidedly abnormal.
"There he is," 49ers guard Alex Boone said, approaching Harbaugh. "The man, the myth, the legend."Harbaugh, who was named NFL Coach of the Year a year ago in his first season as 49ers coach, was back on the job after undergoing an electrical cardioversion -- or a cardiovert. It's a procedure in which paddles that supply an electrical current are used to reset the heart's rhythm back to its regular pattern."Definitely, good to be back," Harbaugh said. "Driving over here yesterday and you're not here and the rest of the team is practicing, it's not a good feeling. I've had that dream before -- many times -- where you're supposed to be taking a test or the team's out there practicing and you're not out there."
REWIND: Harbaugh undergoes heart procedure
Harbaugh said he's had an atrial flutter for "pretty close to all my life." Thirteen years ago when he was in training camp as a quarterback with the San Diego Chargers, Harbaugh had an ablation to deal with the condition. He missed a day or two of practices, he said.On Wednesday evening, Harbaugh said he felt as if he heart was beating faster than normal. He went to Stanford Hospital for tests. On Thursday, he returned for the cardiovert.
With the procedure a success and his heart rate back to normal, Harbaugh said there will be no restrictions on his coaching. He has been advised to limit his caffeine intake and improve his diet. He said he did not get any recommendations on stress reduction from his physician.After undergoing the procedure on Thursday, Harbaugh said he went to the 49ers' practice facility and watched about an hour of practice as the 49ers prepare to face the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
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