Last year, running back legend Barry Sanders disclosed that he experienced a heart attack.
BarrySanders, a hall-of-fame running back, is urging everyone to get a complete medical checkup, just about a year after he experienced what he initially considered a heart-related health scare. In an exclusive chat with CBS Sports, Sanders revealed that the health matter was actually a heart attack.
"I never in a million years thought it'd be a heart attack," Sanders admitted. "I've always been a fitness nut, but this just showed me that heart issues can strike anyone, regardless of their shape or physical condition."
The 56-year-old will share his ordeal in "The Making of a Heart Attack," airing on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on A&E. Sanders remembered waking up with a burning sensation in his chest during a recruiting visit for his son. Despite initially thinking it was heartburn, the discomfort persisted, prompting him to visit the emergency room later that day. Tests showed that his enzyme levels were skyrocketing.
Sanders was drafted third overall by the Lions in 1989 and spent his entire 10-year career (1989-1998) with the team. He ran for 15,269 yards, now the fourth-most in NFL history, and scored 99 touchdowns. His electrifying style on the field earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
High LDL cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, was partially responsible for Sanders' heart attack. Now, he encourages everyone to get regular cholesterol screenings and to make any necessary lifestyle and medication adjustments. Sanders himself has adopted heart-healthy habits like medication, dietary modifications, and increased physical activity.
Sanders wants people to know that heart problems may not always manifest in obvious ways. "I thought I was invincible, but this incident reminded me that our bodies need regular checkups to stay healthy," he said. "Don't wait for symptoms to show up—be proactive about your health."
- Despite initially being a fitness enthusiast, BarrySanders, a former NFL player, experienced a heart attack, a reality he was completely unprepared for.
- Sanders, a hall-of-fame running back who was drafted third overall by the Lions in 1989, encourages everyone to get regular cholesterol screenings due to his heart attack being partially caused by high LDL cholesterol.
- In an exclusive interview with CBS Sports, Sanders shared his health scare experience, which will be aired in "The Making of a Heart Attack" on A&E on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
- Sanders, now 56, emphasizes the importance of proactive health management, recommending regular health checkups to maintain overall well-being, as heart problems may not always present obvious symptoms.
- Recalling his ordeal, Sanders mentioned waking up with a burning sensation in his chest during a football-related event, initially dismissing it as heartburn before it persisted and led him to the emergency room.
- Later in life, Sanders adopted heart-healthy habits such as medication, dietary modifications, and increased physical activity to ensure his recovery and maintain his health, linking his personal experience to broader discussions on health-and-wellness and mental-health, including the importance of therapies-and-treatments.
