Hulk Hogan had major surgery weeks before his heart attack that involved "not only his spine but also … his vocal cords, and the eating/breathing tubes that [were] clamped over during surgery."

His wife addressed rumors 6 weeks ago

“No, he’s definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage… none of those rumors are true,” Sky wrote in a statement on Instagram. “He’s been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process. If you look it up, you’ll see what the last six weeks have involved… not just for his spine, but also for his vocal cords, and the eating/breathing tubes that are clamped over during surgery."

https://nypost.com/2025/07/24/sports/hulk-hogans-ex-wife-linda-reflected-on-good-old-days-before-his-death/ (this contextual health note appears almost as a footnote to a story otherwise featuring quotes from, and photos with, his first of three wives)