TL;DR
Get comfort and recovery gear delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Around his Yankees number retirement and Hall of Fame enshrinement, CC Sabathia detailed how a 2018 heart scare — a 90% artery blockage requiring an emergency stent — reshaped his approach to long-term health. He now follows a Mediterranean-style diet, monitors his LDL-C cholesterol, and works with Merck and WomenHeart’s ‘Playing with Heart’ campaign across nine MLB franchises.
Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia, whose No. 52 was enshrined in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park this past Friday, said a 2018 health scare — a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart — led him to change his approach to diet, cholesterol management and long-term wellness in retirement, according to Athletech News.
Sabathia, who pitched 19 major league seasons, including 11 with the New York Yankees, said the blockage occurred before his final season. In November 2018, he woke up mid-night vomiting with symptoms he initially believed were heart attack-induced. Doctors subsequently found the 90% blockage, and he underwent an emergency angioplasty, or stent placement.
“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,” Sabathia said. “Like, I’m out here pitching, I could have passed out on the mound. So, it’s important for people to understand their number, check with their doctor and understand what’s going on inside the body.”
The “number” Sabathia referenced is LDL-C, the so-called “bad” cholesterol, a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which Athletech News notes is the leading cause of death in the United States. His experience led him to join Merck and WomenHeart’s “Playing with Heart” program, an awareness effort involving nine MLB franchises focused on the dangers of high cholesterol and the value of monitoring heart health. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions dating to childhood and his playing days, joined him at the stadium event.
Why a Retired Ace Is Talking Cholesterol
Sabathia and Boone both described diet, sleep and exercise as everyday tools for managing cardiovascular risk, framing their comments for the general public rather than only for players. “Diets a very important part of it,” Boone said. “Making sure you’re picking your spots to have your sweets. Exercise, obviously, is very important — just taking responsible steps, whether that’s diet, sleep, exercise and all those things.”
Sabathia said dietary change was the biggest change he has made to improve his LDL-C. “It’s straight Mediterranean,” he said of his current eating. “I feel good. I’ve lost a bunch of weight. I always lifted and always did cardio, but now I can do it at my rate.” He said athletes can help make these conversations more common: “Whether it’s alcohol dependency, my heart or anything that I have going on, I want people to know that I’m going through the same things that some other people are going through, and maybe my story can help you.”
Other leagues have taken related steps on player health. In recent years, the NFL has partnered with brands such as Hyperice and Whoop on recovery and long-term health, and the NbPA recently added a preferred virtual care provider to expand holistic health services for players.
Top picks for "yanke legend sabathia"
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From 2018 Scare to Monument Park
Sabathia’s heart episode occurred in November 2018, before his final MLB season in 2019. He had previously spoken publicly about alcohol dependency, and his comments on both issues have drawn attention to player wellness. His career included Hall of Fame induction, followed by the Yankees retiring his No. 52 and placing him in Monument Park — the ceremony that framed his latest remarks, delivered at Yankee Stadium the day before the enshrinement.
The “Playing with Heart” initiative he joined, run by Merck and WomenHeart, spans nine MLB franchises and targets public awareness of LDL-C and heart-health monitoring.
“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. It’s important for people to understand their number, check with their doctor and understand what’s going on inside the body.”
— CC Sabathia
Claims Without Hard Numbers
Sabathia’s current LDL-C level and weight loss were described only in general terms; no specific figures were provided. His observation that “this generation athletes are not like my generation athletes” — noting, for example, that there is “no candy” in today’s clubhouses — is his personal impression rather than a measured finding. Athletech News also noted that whether younger athletes’ habits are a result of advocacy like Sabathia’s “or not” cannot be established.
The Campaign Ahead for Sabathia
The “Playing with Heart” program is expected to continue its awareness work across its nine participating MLB franchises, with Sabathia serving as a public face of the cholesterol-monitoring message. Sabathia indicated he intends to keep speaking openly about his health history, including his heart and past alcohol dependency, as part of that advocacy.
Key Questions
What health emergency did CC Sabathia experience in 2018?
In November 2018, Sabathia woke up overnight with severe symptoms he initially believed were heart attack-related. Testing revealed a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, and he underwent an emergency angioplasty, or stent placement.
What is LDL-C, the ‘number’ Sabathia urges people to know?
LDL-C is low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. According to the reporting, it is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Sabathia encourages people to discuss their LDL-C with a doctor.
What diet does Sabathia follow now?
Sabathia described his eating as “straight Mediterranean” and called dietary change the biggest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C. He said he has lost weight and can now train at his own pace. Anyone making major dietary changes for heart health should consult a healthcare professional, particularly with pre-existing conditions.
What is the ‘Playing with Heart’ program?
It is an initiative from Merck and WomenHeart involving nine MLB franchises that spreads awareness about the dangers of bad cholesterol and the importance of monitoring heart health. Sabathia joined the effort following his own heart scare.
Did the Yankees retire CC Sabathia’s number?
Yes. The Yankees enshrined his No. 52 in Monument Park in a ceremony this past Friday, and Sabathia spoke about heart health at Yankee Stadium the day before the event.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
