Barry Sanders opens up on harrowing health scare: ‘I couldn't believe it'
A year ago, the Hall of Famer announced he suffered a 'health scare related to his heart,' and he recently shared in a CBS interview that it was a heart attack while attending a recruiting visit for his son.
Sanders will be sharing more about the past year publicly in a documentary, 'The Marking of a Heart Attack', that will premiere on June 14 at 1 p.m. on A&E.
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'I couldn't believe it, honestly,' Sanders shared in the documentary, per CBS. 'I thought it was like heartburn, but it just kind of persisted.'
On that morning last June, Sanders said that he could feel a burning sensation in his chest. Following an early exit from the recruiting visit, the Lions legend drove himself to the emergency room, where tests revealed that his enzyme levels were 'really high and getting higher.'
3 Barry Sanders at the 14th Annual NFL Honors held at Saenger Theatre on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Variety via Getty Images
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From there, Sanders underwent a heart catheter procedure, which revealed he had suffered a heart attack.
'Of all things, I don't know why, that just never entered my mind,' Sanders said. 'I'm learning through this process that there aren't necessarily any warning signs, unless you do what we're encouraging people to do, which is to go the doctor, get tested for LDLC levels, or bad cholesterol. That's the only way to find out if you have high cholesterol. It's not something you're going to be able to feel. You don't have to fit a certain physical profile.'
In the documentary, Sanders wants to encourage people to get ahead of this.
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Sanders, along with four others who have experienced a heart attack or stroke, uncover the hidden risks and impacts to be aware of in the documentary.
3 Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders attends a ceremony honoring former wide receiver Calvin Johnson Jr. ('Megatron') being inducted into the Pride of the Lions during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Monday, September 30, 2024.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
A preventative measure Sanders pushes is visiting attackheartdisease.com/test because he can only share his story, while everyone's heart health is vastly different.
He has said his health has greatly improved since the incident from walking more, making dietary changes and taking his medications.
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'Sometimes it's hereditary and it's not like you're doing anything wrong,' Sanders said. 'There's a lot of different stories and examples out there. That's why it's important for people to have that conversation with their doctor.'
3 Former NFL player Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions reacts during the first half between the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.
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'It's really been an education, for me, learning about how frequent this happens all over the U.S.,' he added. 'Conversing with these other individuals who are part of this documentary who have very insightful, gripping stories about the journey that they've been on. It's just really amazing. I think it will get a lot of people's attention.'
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