Barry Sanders, the Hall of Fame running back who electrified Sundays for the Detroit Lions, says his 2024 heart attack blindsided him - and he’s now using his platform to push lifesaving awareness about bad cholesterol.
Appearing on “Live In The D,” Sanders said his symptoms started quietly. “I woke up - just had a discomfort in the middle of my chest. I assumed it was like heartburn,” he said. “When they said it was a heart attack, I was really surprised. I didn’t know anything about bad cholesterol.”
Sanders said he’s partnering with Amgen on a new film, “The Making of a Heart Attack,” to help people understand how LDL - often called “bad” cholesterol - contributes to heart disease and stroke, even in those who feel healthy. “When and where heart attack and stroke happen is so unpredictable that you really have to have that conversation with your doctor,” he said, urging viewers to get tested and learn their numbers.
Sanders noted the documentary highlights stories of survival and resilience, adding that many risk factors can be hereditary - and that doing “everything right” isn’t a guarantee without monitoring cholesterol.
You can watch the documentary for free at attackheartdisease.com/documentary.
To watch the interview, click on the video above.