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CC Sabathia says a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, discovered in 2018, changed how he approaches long-term health. Speaking before the Yankees retired his No. 52, he discussed monitoring LDL-C, changing his diet and sharing his experience to encourage wider heart-health conversations.
CC Sabathia says a near-fatal heart scare in 2018 changed how he thinks about health after baseball, prompting him to pay closer attention to his diet and cholesterol. He spoke at Yankee Stadium the day before the New York Yankees retired his No. 52, using the occasion to urge people to understand their LDL-C levels and discuss heart health with a doctor.
Sabathia, a Hall of Fame pitcher who spent 19 seasons in the major leagues, including 11 with the Yankees, recalled waking in November 2018 with vomiting and symptoms he thought might signal a heart attack. He later learned that an artery leading to his heart had a 90% blockage and underwent emergency angioplasty, a procedure involving placement of a stent.
“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. He urged people to check their numbers and consult a doctor. He was referring to LDL-C, often called ‘bad’ cholesterol, which the report describes as a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Sabathia said changing his diet has been the largest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C. He described his current eating pattern as mainly Mediterranean and said he has lost weight. He also said he continues lifting weights and doing cardio, now at a pace that suits him.
A Health Message Beyond Baseball
Sabathia’s account puts a specific health issue alongside a high-profile career milestone: a serious artery blockage was found while he was still an active player. His experience illustrates why he says people should track cholesterol and speak with a doctor, rather than assume that athletic activity alone answers questions about heart health.
He also argued that athletes can make conversations about long-term wellness more familiar to fans. Sabathia said he speaks publicly about experiences including alcohol dependency and his heart condition because sharing them may help others facing similar issues. That is his stated reason for speaking out; the source does not establish that his advocacy has changed health outcomes.
At the event, Yankees manager Aaron Boone also discussed routine health habits. Boone, who has a history of heart conditions dating to childhood and his playing years, named diet, sleep and exercise as parts of his approach. His comments add another perspective, but the report gives no specific medical details about his condition or care.
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The 2018 Emergency Procedure
Sabathia’s emergency procedure came in November 2018, during the final season of his playing career. The report says he initially believed his symptoms might be heart attack-related; subsequent medical findings identified a severe blockage in an artery leading to his heart. He said prompt awareness and treatment mattered to his survival, though the report does not provide his medical records or further clinical detail.
His remarks came as the Yankees honored his career by retiring No. 52 in Monument Park. Sabathia connected that recognition to a broader appeal about health. He has also joined Playing with Heart, a program from Merck and WomenHeart that the report says involves nine MLB franchises and promotes awareness of cholesterol and heart health.
The report places this discussion within a wider interest in athlete wellness. It points to NFL work with recovery and wellness brands and a National Basketball Players Association preferred virtual care provider. Those examples concern other organizations; the source does not link them directly to Sabathia’s program or establish their results.
““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 the Report Leaves Open
The report does not give Sabathia’s current LDL-C reading, details of his follow-up care, or a timeline for his dietary changes. It also does not specify which teams take part in Playing with Heart or describe the program’s measured reach or results.
Sabathia’s comments describe his personal experience and advice to consult a doctor. The report does not present a clinical assessment of his current health, establish that his diet caused his reported weight loss, or show that the program has changed participants’ health.
The Ongoing Health Campaign
Playing with Heart is described as an ongoing awareness effort involving nine MLB franchises. The source does not announce a new event, deadline or next milestone for the program. Sabathia’s immediate public role, as reported, is to share his experience and encourage people to learn their cholesterol numbers and seek medical guidance.
His No. 52 retirement ceremony has taken place. The report gives no further schedule for Sabathia’s advocacy or for future campaign activities, so the next public developments remain unspecified.
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 Sabathia mean by “his number”?
He was referring to LDL-C, commonly called bad cholesterol. Sabathia encouraged people to discuss their numbers with a doctor.
What health changes did Sabathia describe?
He said he now mainly eats Mediterranean food and continues lifting weights and doing cardio at his own pace. He also said he has lost weight.
What is Playing with Heart?
The report describes it as a Merck and WomenHeart program involving nine MLB franchises to raise awareness about cholesterol and heart health.
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