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CC Sabathia is using his experience with a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart to encourage people to monitor cholesterol and discuss heart health with a doctor. His comments came as the Yankees retired his No. 52 and as he took part in a heart-health awareness program.
CC Sabathia says a serious heart condition discovered in 2018 changed how he thinks about health after baseball, prompting him to focus more on diet and cholesterol monitoring. The former New York Yankees pitcher discussed the experience at Yankee Stadium as the team prepared to retire his No. 52, and while he was participating in a program promoting heart-health awareness.
Sabathia told Athletech News that he woke in November 2018 feeling sick and initially thought his symptoms might be those of a heart attack. He later learned he had a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart and underwent emergency angioplasty, a procedure that included placing a stent. Sabathia said that without staying on top of his health, he could have died at 38. His account describes his experience; the source does not provide medical records or further clinical details.
Sabathia urged people to learn their health numbers and consult a doctor. He was referring to LDL-C, commonly called “bad” cholesterol, which the source describes as a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. His experience led him to take part in “Playing with Heart,” a program run by Merck and WomenHeart. According to the report, the initiative involves nine MLB franchises and promotes awareness of cholesterol and heart health.
Asked about his own changes, Sabathia said diet has been the biggest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C. He described his current eating pattern as Mediterranean and said he has lost weight. He also said he had long lifted weights and done cardio, but can now exercise at his own pace. Those remarks reflect his personal experience, not a recommendation that the same approach will suit everyone.
A Health Message Beyond Baseball
Sabathia’s story puts a personal example behind his call for people to discuss cholesterol and heart health with clinicians. The condition was discovered while he was an active major-league player, illustrating that athletic performance does not by itself establish that someone has no underlying health issue. His comments also make the point that long-term health deserves attention alongside performance.
By speaking publicly, Sabathia says he hopes his experience can help others feel able to talk about health challenges. He linked that openness to topics he has discussed before, including alcohol dependency. The report does not measure the effect of his advocacy or the awareness program, so its reach and impact remain unknown.
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From Yankees Career to Advocacy
Sabathia spent 19 seasons in the major leagues, including 11 with the Yankees. The team’s Monument Park ceremony honored his number shortly after he spoke at Yankee Stadium about health and the lessons he has taken from his heart condition. The source describes the talk as taking place the day before the ceremony, but does not state the calendar date.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone joined Sabathia at the event. Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions dating to childhood and his playing career, said that diet, exercise, sleep and making responsible choices matter to how he prioritizes heart health. Sabathia also contrasted his generation of players with younger athletes, whom he said seem more attentive to their bodies. The report offers his observations, rather than data comparing players across generations.
““It’s important for people to understand their number, check with their doctor and understand what’s going on inside the body.””
— CC Sabathia
Details Still Not Reported
The source does not give the date of the Yankee Stadium discussion, Sabathia’s current LDL-C reading, or details of any ongoing treatment or follow-up care. It also does not say whether his cholesterol has reached a particular target. Sabathia’s reported weight loss and dietary changes are personal observations, and the report does not establish that they caused a specific medical outcome.
The scope of the “Playing with Heart” program is described as involving nine MLB franchises, but the source does not list them, provide participation numbers, or report results. It is also unclear how much awareness the program has generated.
The Program’s Next Steps
The source identifies no upcoming “Playing with Heart” events or milestones. Sabathia’s participation is part of an effort to encourage conversations about LDL-C and heart health, while his public comments continue to share his personal experience. Readers seeking information about their own cholesterol or heart risk should discuss it with a qualified health professional.
Key Questions
What happened to CC Sabathia in 2018?
Sabathia said he learned he had a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart and underwent emergency angioplasty with a stent placement.
What health message is Sabathia sharing?
He is urging people to know their cholesterol numbers and discuss their health with a doctor. He has described diet as a major personal change since his diagnosis.
What is “Playing with Heart”?
The report describes it as a heart-health awareness program from Merck and WomenHeart that involves nine MLB franchises and focuses on cholesterol monitoring and heart health.
Why was Sabathia at Yankee Stadium?
He spoke about health the day before the Yankees honored him by retiring his No. 52 in Monument Park, according to the source report.
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