During Father’s Day weekend last year, Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders suffered a heart attack. For Father’s Day this year, Sanders is featured in a new documentary exploring what risks and lifestyle choices are behind heart attacks and strokes.
‘The Making of a Heart Attack’ is a new documentary film set to premiere Saturday at 1 p.m. on A&E. In it, Sanders will talk to four other people ‘who faced a heart attack or stroke to uncover the hidden risks, lasting impact and what they want others to know,’ according to the film’s description on A&E’s website.
On June 21 last year, Sanders shared a statement via social media announcing that he had ‘experienced a health scare related to my heart.’
“It was unexpected and served as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant about our physical well-being, even when we are feeling fine,” Sanders’ statement read. “I am grateful for the amazing doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals for providing me with needed care. My family and I are thankful for your prayers and support during this time.”
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Sanders said that he had no idea the heart attack was coming. As a former athlete who worked out consistently and stayed in shape, he was not aware of other factors or habits that could have led to the cardiovascular event.
Even when he had suffered the heart attack, he was not aware it had happened. Sanders told The Athletic that it felt like a similar sensation to heartburn, but he eventually drove himself to the emergency room when it wouldn’t go away.
Sanders said his goal with this new documentary is to educate more people about the potential risks that can lead to – and the warnings that precede – heart attacks. He also wanted to explore why ‘the system, including healthcare professionals and patients, aren’t catching the signs early enough.’
The film’s description reads: ‘When it comes to cardiovascular disease, recognizing the risks is the first step to taking action.’
Sanders told The Athletic that ‘life since his heart attack has been good.’
The former Lions running back played in the NFL for 10 years and finished his career a six-time All-Pro and three-time Offensive Player of the Year award-winner. Sanders also won the NFL MVP award after the 1997 season, his penultimate year in the league. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.