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CC Sabathia says a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, discovered in 2018, changed how he thinks about health and longevity. He now follows a mainly Mediterranean diet and is taking part in the Playing with Heart awareness program, encouraging people to discuss cholesterol and heart health with their doctors.
Former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is speaking publicly about cholesterol monitoring and long-term heart health after a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart was discovered in 2018. The Hall of Fame pitcher discussed the experience at Yankee Stadium while taking part in Playing with Heart, an awareness program focused on heart health, the day before the Yankees retired his No. 52.
Sabathia said he woke in the middle of the night in November 2018 with vomiting and symptoms he initially thought might be a heart attack. Doctors found the blockage and performed an emergency angioplasty, placing a stent. He was 38 at the time. Sabathia has said that discovering the problem may have prevented a fatal event, though the circumstances of what might otherwise have happened cannot be known.
He urged people to learn their LDL-C level, a measure of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and to discuss their health with a doctor. The Athletech News report says elevated LDL-C is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Sabathia joined Merck and WomenHeart’s Playing with Heart program, which involves nine MLB franchises and aims to raise awareness of cholesterol and heart health.
Sabathia said changing his diet was the biggest step he took to improve his LDL-C. He described his current eating pattern as mainly Mediterranean and said he had lost weight. He also said that he continues lifting weights and doing cardio, now at a pace he sets for himself. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions, also spoke at the event about diet, exercise, sleep and making responsible choices.
A Pitcher’s Health Message
Sabathia’s account gives a prominent former athlete a platform to discuss a condition that can remain unnoticed until it becomes urgent. His central message was practical: know your cholesterol numbers and speak with a doctor about what they mean. His story does not establish that the same risks or choices apply to every person, but it brings attention to heart health beyond the playing field.
His comments also connect retirement to a shift in how athletes talk about their bodies. Sabathia said he sees younger players as more attentive to their health than his generation was. He argued that athletes can make discussions of long-term wellness more ordinary by talking openly about their own experiences, including health challenges.
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From 2018 Emergency to Advocacy
Sabathia spent 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, including 11 with the Yankees. The team retired his No. 52 at Monument Park in a ceremony held the Friday described in the report. The heart health discussion took place the day before that tribute, placing his account of a serious health scare alongside recognition of his playing career.
The report describes wider sports efforts around player health, including professional football partnerships focused on recovery and a virtual care provider selected by the National Basketball Players Association. These examples offer context for Sabathia’s comments about changing athlete attitudes; they do not establish that every league or team provides the same services.
““It’s important for people to understand their number, check with their doctor and understand what’s going on inside the body.””
— CC Sabathia
What Sabathia Has Not Detailed
The report does not give Sabathia’s current LDL-C level, the medical targets he follows, or details of his ongoing care. It also does not specify what further activities the nine participating MLB franchises will hold through Playing with Heart. Sabathia’s remarks describe his personal experience and choices; they do not provide individualized medical advice.
The Awareness Program Ahead
Playing with Heart is described as involving nine MLB franchises to promote awareness of cholesterol and heart health. The report does not list future events or dates, so the program’s next public milestones are not specified. Sabathia said he intends to keep speaking openly about his experiences, while encouraging people to check their numbers and discuss them with a doctor.
Key Questions
What happened to CC Sabathia in 2018?
Sabathia said doctors found a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart after he woke with symptoms he initially thought might be heart attack-related. He underwent emergency angioplasty and received a stent.
What is Sabathia asking people to do?
He urged people to learn their LDL-C cholesterol level and discuss their health with a doctor. He did not give a specific medical target in the report.
What changes did Sabathia make to his routine?
Sabathia said he mainly eats a Mediterranean-style diet and continues lifting weights and doing cardio at his own pace. He described the dietary change as his largest step toward improving his LDL-C.
What is Playing with Heart?
It is a heart health awareness program involving Merck, WomenHeart and nine MLB franchises, according to the report. Its stated focus includes awareness of LDL-C and monitoring heart health.
Source: rss
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