TL;DR
Turn quiet afternoons into listening time
- Thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and originals
- Listen on your phone, tablet or Echo — also offline
- Cancel anytime
Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia says a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, discovered in 2018, changed how he thinks about long-term health. He has adjusted his diet and is taking part in a program that promotes cholesterol awareness and heart-health monitoring.
Former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is speaking publicly about heart-health monitoring after an artery blockage nearly caused a heart attack in 2018, saying the experience prompted him to pay closer attention to his diet and long-term health. His remarks came at Yankee Stadium shortly before the team retired his No. 52, and as he joined a program promoting awareness of cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.
Sabathia said he woke in the middle of the night in November 2018 vomiting and initially thought he might be having a heart attack. He later learned that an artery leading to his heart had a 90% blockage and underwent emergency angioplasty, a procedure involving placement of a stent. He was 38 at the time. The original report does not specify which artery was affected or provide further details about his current medical status.
Sabathia said the experience made him more attentive to LDL-C, often called “bad” cholesterol, and encouraged people to know their levels and discuss them with a doctor. He has joined “Playing with Heart,” a Merck and WomenHeart program involving nine Major League Baseball franchises that aims to raise awareness of cholesterol and heart health.
He described changing his diet as the largest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C, saying it now mainly follows a Mediterranean pattern. Sabathia said he has lost weight and continues lifting and doing cardio at a pace that suits him. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions, also discussed diet, exercise, sleep and moderation as parts of his approach.
A Health Warning Beyond Baseball
Sabathia’s account puts a personal example behind the program’s message: heart risks can affect people who appear fit and active. His artery blockage was found while he was still pitching in the major leagues, he said. That does not establish how common similar cases are among athletes, but it shows why he urges people to discuss cholesterol readings and other health information with a medical professional.
His public comments also connect long-term health with a broader change in how athletes discuss their bodies. Sabathia said players in the current generation appear more attentive to their health than those he encountered early in his career. His own story, including his willingness to talk about heart health and alcohol dependency, is part of his effort to make such discussions more open.
Popular right now
Ninja Foodi Smart 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer, 4 Qt, FG551
Sony BRAVIA 5 85-Inch Mini LED 4K HDR Smart TV (K-85XR50)
TCL T7 Series 85-Inch 4K 144Hz QLED Smart Google TV
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
The 2018 Emergency and Its Aftermath
Sabathia spent 19 seasons in the major leagues, including 11 with the Yankees. The blockage was discovered in November 2018, near the end of his playing career. He described waking with symptoms he feared were a heart attack, then learning that an artery leading to his heart was severely blocked and receiving emergency treatment.
The comments covered in the Athletech News report were made the day before the Yankees held a Monument Park ceremony for his No. 52. Boone joined Sabathia at Yankee Stadium. The report also noted health initiatives in other sports, including NFL partnerships focused on recovery and a virtual-care provider recently added by the National Basketball Players Association; those examples provide industry context but are separate from Sabathia’s program.
“Had I not known or not been on top of everything, I could have passed away at 38 years old from a massive heart attack.”
— CC Sabathia
What His Current Health Shows
The report does not give Sabathia’s current LDL-C reading, describe any recent tests or provide details about ongoing treatment. It also does not quantify how his diet or weight changes affected his cholesterol. Sabathia’s account is personal experience; it does not establish that the same diet or exercise approach is appropriate for everyone. Readers should consult a qualified health professional about individual medical decisions.
The report says the “Playing with Heart” program involves nine MLB franchises but does not name them or describe its schedule, reach or measured outcomes. It is also unclear whether Sabathia’s advocacy has affected how younger players approach health.
Program Outreach and Health Conversations
Sabathia is participating in “Playing with Heart” to promote awareness of LDL-C and heart health across nine MLB franchises. The source report does not provide dates for future events or say when any results from the program will be published. For now, Sabathia’s stated focus is on sharing what happened to him and encouraging people to check their health numbers with a doctor.
Key Questions
What happened to CC Sabathia in 2018?
Sabathia said he woke up vomiting and feared he was having a heart attack. Doctors found a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, and he underwent emergency angioplasty with a stent placement.
What health change does Sabathia say he made?
He said his diet now mainly follows a Mediterranean pattern, which he described as the largest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C. He also said he continues lifting and doing cardio.
What is Playing with Heart?
It is a Merck and WomenHeart program involving nine MLB franchises that promotes awareness of cholesterol and heart health. The report does not identify the participating teams or provide program outcome figures.
What does Sabathia recommend people do?
He urged people to know their cholesterol number and check with a doctor about what is happening in their bodies. Personal health questions and decisions should be discussed with a qualified medical professional.
Source: rss
