The Yankees retired CC Sabathia’s number Sept. 25 and placed it in Monument Park, honoring his 11-year career with the team and a championship. In December 2018, he underwent emergency angioplasty to repair a 90% blockage in an artery leading to his heart.
Sabathia said symptoms began in November 2018 and included nausea, chest pains and difficulty lying down. He described seeking help for what seemed like a stomach problem while the cause was in his heart.
Since the scare, Sabathia said he has shifted to a Mediterranean diet and exercises more consistently. He has partnered with Merck and Playing with Heart to raise awareness; Merck is working with nine MLB teams to educate fans about high LDL cholesterol, which may increase heart attack or stroke risk.
