TL;DR
CC Sabathia says a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, discovered in 2018, changed how he approaches health. The retired Yankees pitcher has shifted toward a Mediterranean-style diet and is speaking through a heart-health awareness program about checking LDL-C with a doctor.
CC Sabathia says a near-fatal heart scare during his final major-league season changed how he approaches his health in retirement. Speaking at Yankee Stadium the day before the New York Yankees retired his No. 52, the Hall of Fame pitcher described learning he had a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart and urged people to discuss cholesterol levels with their doctors.
Sabathia recalled waking in the middle of the night in November 2018 while vomiting, with symptoms he initially thought might signal a heart attack. He later learned about the arterial blockage and underwent an emergency angioplasty, which involved placing a stent. He said that without knowing what was happening, he could have died at 38 or collapsed while pitching.
The cholesterol measure he highlighted is LDL-C, commonly called “bad” cholesterol. High LDL-C is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Sabathia encouraged people to learn their numbers and consult a doctor about what is happening inside their bodies.
Sabathia said changing his diet has been the biggest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C. He described his current eating pattern as mainly Mediterranean-style, and said he has lost weight. He added that he continues lifting and doing cardio, but now exercises at his own pace.
A Health Scare Shapes His Message
Sabathia’s experience gives his public message a personal basis: he said he was still pitching when the blockage was discovered, and that he had not understood the risk beforehand. His remarks direct attention to heart-health conversations and cholesterol checks, rather than treating athletic fitness alone as a guarantee of health.
His comments also connect a personal story to a broader effort. Sabathia is participating in Playing with Heart, a program from Merck and WomenHeart that involves nine MLB franchises and aims to raise awareness about LDL-C and heart-health monitoring. The source report does not provide results or outcome data for the program.
Top picks for "yanke legend sabathia"
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Monument Park to Heart Health
The Yankees ceremony honored Sabathia’s No. 52 in Monument Park. He spent 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, including 11 with New York; his heart event happened during the final season of his playing career.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions dating to childhood and his playing years, joined Sabathia at the stadium discussion. Boone described diet, sleep and exercise as steps he considers when prioritizing heart health. The report also places their comments amid wider efforts in professional sports to address recovery and longer-term wellness, but does not detail specific outcomes from those efforts.
““I could have passed away at 38 years old from a massive heart attack.””
— CC Sabathia
What His Remarks Do Not Establish
The report does not give Sabathia’s current LDL-C level, his full medical history, or details about his ongoing clinical care. It also does not provide evidence that his dietary changes caused a specific measured change in LDL-C; he described diet as his largest step and said he feels good and has lost weight.
His experience is a personal account, not a substitute for individual medical advice. The report does not state that the Playing with Heart program has changed screening rates or health outcomes among players or the public.
Awareness Effort Continues
Sabathia’s participation in Playing with Heart links his remarks to an awareness effort involving nine MLB franchises. The source report does not specify future events, a schedule, or additional program milestones, so its next public steps remain unclear.
For readers, Sabathia’s stated advice is to learn their health numbers and speak with a doctor. Questions about screening and appropriate targets depend on an individual’s circumstances and should be addressed with a health professional.
Key Questions
What happened to CC Sabathia in 2018?
Sabathia said he woke up vomiting in November 2018 and later learned he had a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart. He underwent emergency angioplasty with a stent placement.
What does LDL-C mean?
LDL-C is a measure of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. Sabathia urged people to ask a doctor about their levels and what they mean for their health.
How has Sabathia changed his health habits?
He said his diet is now mainly Mediterranean-style and that he continues lifting and doing cardio at his own pace. He described dietary change as the biggest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C.
What is Playing with Heart?
It is a heart-health awareness program from Merck and WomenHeart involving nine MLB franchises. The report says it focuses on awareness of LDL-C and the importance of monitoring heart health.
Source: rss
