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Around his Yankees number retirement, Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia detailed how a 2018 heart scare — a 90% artery blockage requiring a stent — pushed him to overhaul his diet and champion LDL-C awareness through Merck and WomenHeart’s ‘Playing with Heart’ program. He now follows a Mediterranean diet and says today’s young athletes are far more attuned to long-term wellness than his generation.
Former New York Yankees pitcher and Hall of Famer CC Sabathia said a 2018 health scare — a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart — forced him to rethink his long-term health, and he is now urging the public to monitor their LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol. Speaking at Yankee Stadium the day before the Yankees retired his No. 52 in Monument Park, Sabathia said changes to his diet, primarily a shift to Mediterranean food, have been the biggest factor in improving his cholesterol and overall wellness, according to Athletech News.
Sabathia pitched 19 years in the majors, including 11 with the Yankees, and said his final seasons nearly never happened. In November 2018, he woke up in the middle of the night vomiting with symptoms he initially believed were caused by a heart attack. Doctors later found a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, 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 refers to is LDL-C, widely described as “bad” cholesterol and considered a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. His experience led him to join Merck and WomenHeart’s “Playing with Heart” program, an initiative involving nine MLB franchises that spreads awareness about the dangers of high bad cholesterol and the importance of monitoring heart health. Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who has his own history of heart conditions dating back to childhood and his playing days, joined him at the event.
Why Sabathia’s Health Push Resonates
Sabathia’s story carries weight because heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and his scare occurred while he was still an active, elite athlete — a reminder that outward fitness does not guarantee cardiovascular health. His willingness to speak publicly about his LDL-C levels, alcohol dependency and heart procedure adds a high-profile voice to efforts to normalize routine cholesterol screening. For readers, the takeaway is supportive rather than medical: Sabathia frames his experience as encouragement to consult a doctor and know your own cholesterol numbers, not as a treatment recommendation.
From 2018 Scare to Monument Park
Sabathia’s heart event came near the end of a career that included a 2007 AL Cy Young Award and a 2009 World Series title with the Yankees. On the Friday following his stadium remarks, the team enshrined his No. 52 in Monument Park. His comments came one day before that ceremony, at an event tied to the Playing with Heart campaign. Boone, who underwent open-heart surgery as a player in 2009, said his own approach centers on moderation: “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.”
“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’s Story Doesn’t Tell Us
Sabathia’s current LDL-C number was not disclosed in the Athletech News report, and it is not clear how much of his weight loss or improved wellbeing is attributable to diet alone versus other factors. His observation that “this generation athletes are not like my generation athletes” — noting there is “no candy” in today’s clubhouses — is his personal impression, not a measured finding. Whether his advocacy is directly driving changed behavior among younger players, as the report acknowledges, is also unknown.
The Playing with Heart Campaign’s Road Ahead
The Playing with Heart program, involving nine MLB franchises, is expected to continue its awareness efforts around bad cholesterol and heart-health monitoring across ballparks. Sabathia indicated he intends to keep speaking openly about his health history, including his heart and past alcohol dependency. He pointed to broader momentum elsewhere in sports, noting that the NFL has partnered with brands such as Hyperice and Whoop on recovery and long-term health, and that the NBPA recently added a preferred virtual care provider for its players.
Key Questions
What health scare did CC Sabathia experience?
In November 2018, Sabathia woke up vomiting with symptoms he believed were heart attack-related. Doctors found a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart, and he underwent an emergency angioplasty to place a stent.
What is the “number” Sabathia tells people to know?
He is referring to LDL-C, commonly called “bad” cholesterol, a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He encourages people to check with their doctor and understand what is going on inside their body.
What diet does Sabathia follow now?
According to Athletech News, Sabathia described his diet as “straight Mediterranean” and called it the largest step he has taken to improve his LDL-C. He said he has lost weight and can now exercise at his own pace. Anyone considering major dietary changes for heart health should consult a healthcare professional.
What is the Playing with Heart program?
It is a campaign from Merck and WomenHeart involving nine MLB franchises that aims to raise awareness of the dangers of bad cholesterol and the importance of monitoring heart health. Sabathia participates in the program.
Did the Yankees retire Sabathia’s number?
Yes. The Yankees enshrined his No. 52 in Monument Park in a ceremony the day after Sabathia and Aaron Boone spoke at Yankee Stadium.
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