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CC Sabathia says a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, discovered in 2018, changed how he approaches health. He has adopted a Mediterranean-style diet and is speaking publicly through a heart-health awareness program about cholesterol monitoring and long-term wellness.
Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia says a near-fatal heart scare in 2018 led him to focus more on diet, cholesterol monitoring and long-term health in retirement. Speaking at Yankee Stadium the day before the team retired his No. 52, Sabathia recounted learning that an artery leading to his heart was 90% blocked and urged people to know their cholesterol numbers and consult a doctor.
Sabathia said he woke in the middle of the night in November 2018 vomiting, with symptoms he initially thought could signal a heart attack. He later learned of the blockage and underwent an emergency angioplasty with a stent placement. He said the discovery might have prevented him from dying at age 38, including while pitching. The source report does not provide medical records or further clinical details.
Sabathia connected the experience to monitoring LDL-C, commonly called “bad” cholesterol, and to the importance of understanding personal health with a doctor. He said his biggest change has been his diet, which he described as mainly Mediterranean food. He also said he has lost weight and continues lifting and doing cardio at a pace that suits him.
His appearance was part of Playing with Heart, a program by Merck and WomenHeart that the report says involves nine MLB franchises and aims to raise awareness about LDL-C and heart health. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions, joined Sabathia at the event and discussed diet, exercise, sleep and moderation as parts of his approach.
A Health Message Beyond the Ballpark
Sabathia’s account gives a prominent athlete a personal reason to discuss heart health and cholesterol checks with baseball fans. He said athletes can help make conversations about long-term wellness more routine, much as they have discussed performance and recovery.
The report links high LDL-C with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and describes that disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. Sabathia’s story does not establish that his diet or public advocacy will produce particular health outcomes for others. It does show why he considers it useful to talk openly about his own diagnosis and treatment.
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From a 19-Year Career to Advocacy
Sabathia pitched in the major leagues for 19 years, including 11 with the Yankees. The team honored his career by retiring No. 52 in Monument Park. At the event, he placed the ceremony alongside a message about personal health, saying the number people should pay attention to includes their LDL-C level.
He said he is willing to discuss difficult experiences, including alcohol dependency and his heart condition, in hopes his story may help others. Sabathia also contrasted his generation of players with younger athletes, whom he sees as more attentive to their bodies. He pointed to his 23-year-old son, who is in rookie ball, as an example. The report also notes other professional sports efforts on recovery and health, but does not connect those efforts directly to 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 Sabathia Has Not Detailed
The report does not state Sabathia’s current LDL-C reading, the treatment or monitoring plan he follows now, or whether his artery blockage has had any lasting effects. It also does not give outcome data for the Playing with Heart program or say how many people it has reached. Sabathia’s account is personal and does not establish what screening or treatment is appropriate for any individual.
More Heart Health Outreach
The source report identifies Sabathia’s participation in Playing with Heart as part of an effort involving nine MLB franchises, but gives no dates for future events or additional program milestones. Sabathia’s immediate public appearance coincided with the Yankees’ retirement of his No. 52. Further details on the program’s reach or his personal health updates were not provided.
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 vomiting in November 2018. He underwent emergency angioplasty with a stent placement.
What health change did Sabathia describe?
He said his diet is now mainly Mediterranean and called dietary change his biggest step toward improving his LDL-C. He also said he continues lifting and cardio at his own pace.
What is Playing with Heart?
According to the report, it is a heart-health awareness program by Merck and WomenHeart involving nine MLB franchises. It focuses on awareness of LDL-C and monitoring heart health.
What remains unknown about Sabathia’s health?
The report does not give his current LDL-C level, current care plan or details about any lasting effects from the blockage.
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