Barry Sanders opens up about secret heart attack and urges fans to take health seriouslyBarry Sanders opens up about secret heart attack and urges fans to take health seriously

When we think of Barry Sanders, we picture one of the most agile, unstoppable running backs in NFL history, not someone quietly driving himself to the ER in the middle of a heart attack.

But that’s exactly what happened last year. Now, in a candid new documentary, Sanders is speaking out not just about the scare but about how it changed him. His story is real, raw, and a big wake-up call for fans who still think heart disease only affects “other people.”

Barry Sanders reveals he suffered a heart attack in 2023 while on a college visit

In the A&E documentary “The Making of a Heart Attack,” Sanders shares how he was visiting a college with his son when he started feeling chest pain. At first, he brushed it off as heartburn but the discomfort stuck around.

Instead of calling 911, Sanders drove himself to the hospital. Doctors quickly found elevated enzyme levels and diagnosed a heart attack.He underwent a catheterization procedure and has since made major changes to his health routine.

At 56, Sanders says he considered himself relatively healthy. But like many people, he didn’t realize that things like high cholesterol can sneak up quietly. The episode was a jolt not just to his body, but to his perspective.

Now, he’s encouraging fans and athletes alike to get regular checkups, monitor their cholesterol, and listen to their bodies when something feels off.“It’s not just about surviving,” he said. “It’s about living smarter after the fact.”

Documentary hopes to inspire others to take health seriously

Sanders’ story is part of a broader effort by A&E to spotlight heart disease. The docuseries, airing June 14, also features survivors of strokes and heart attacks from different walks of life.

Sanders says he hopes his openness helps others recognize early warning signs and avoid the same mistakes he made.

He’s also now on medication, walking daily, and making better diet choices, all things he admits he used to ignore.

For someone whose football legacy is built on impossible jukes and breakaway speed, Barry Sanders’ biggest move yet might be the one off the field, telling the world that no one, not even NFL royalty, is immune to heart trouble. His message? Don’t wait for the warning signs. Pay attention, ask questions, and take care of yourself while you still can.Also read - Antonio Brown’s attempted murder charge shows how people have already given up on him