One of the NFL's all-time great running backs, Barry Sanders, is getting off the gridiron and onto the promotional circuit as a heart health spokesperson.
The Detroit Lions icon is now opening up about an intensely personal episode of his life in the new A&E documentary, "The Marking of a Heart Attack," which debuts June 14 at 1 p.m. ET. The movie explains Sanders' unexpected heart attack last year and his journey to empower others to take proactive measures to safeguard their health.
Sanders' Unexpected Heart Attack
In a recent CBS interview, Sanders disclosed that he had a heart attack on a college recruiting trip with his son. Initially, he dismissed the pain as mere heartburn. But the pain lingered. Sanders trusted his instincts and shortened the visit to take himself to the ER.
When she got there, physicians found his enzyme levels were high, a sign of cardiac distress. After a heart catheterization test, it was officially confirmed that Barry Sanders had suffered a heart attack.
"I couldn't believe it, honestly," Sanders shared in "The Making of a Heart Attack" documentary."I thought it was like heartburn, but it just kind of persisted."
Shining a Light on Hidden Risk Factors
Sanders is using his platform to bring awareness to "silent" conditions like high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, which often show no symptoms.
The NFL Hall of Famer said that people can't feel if they have high LDL cholesterol. He urged the public to get tested because it's the only way to know.
He said that men 40 and older and those with a history of heart disease in their family should get screened regularly and speak with their physicians. He points to attackheartdisease.com/test, a website designed to assist individuals in assessing their heart health and acting early.
Sharing the Spotlight with Other Survivors
In the documentary, Sanders is joined by four other individuals who also survived heart attacks or strokes. Each story is different, yet equally powerful. These testimonials highlight the diverse causes and outcomes of heat-related illnesses. Some are hereditary, some are lifestyle-driven, and some need urgent help for early intervention.
Sanders said that even though you're doing everything right, you won't know what's coming because genetics still play a part. He also acknowledged that awareness and prevention are always important.
"It's not about being perfect," Sanders says. "Sometimes, even if you're doing everything right, genetics play a role. That's why awareness and prevention are everything."
Since the scare, Sanders has transformed his lifestyle. Daily walks, medication, and wise dietary adjustments are now a part of his new routine. He hopes his new life will inspire other people to take care of their health before a crisis hits.
Barry Sanders' Wake-Up Call
Barry Sanders is famous for breaking tackles, but today he's tackling one of the deadliest threats to American health: heart disease. His message is simple—don't wait for warning signs that never happen. Get checked. Get educated. Take control.
Another legend, but this time in the WWE industry, The Undertaker has revealed that he was rushed into emergency heart surgery after WrestleMania 41.
According to his wife, Michelle McCool, The Undertaker had no clue about his condition because the symptoms were absent. She only noticed that something was wrong when his husband was out of breath, even if he only went upstairs.
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