Former NFL star Barry Sanders has opened up about his health scare last year, revealing that he suffered a heart attack during a recruiting trip for one of his sons.

Sanders, 56, shared a social media statement in June 2024 about his recovery after an "unexpected" health scare related to his heart that happened over Father's Day weekend. In a recent interview with CBS Sports, he revealed that he initially believed he was dealing with persistent heartburn before medical tests revealed he'd experienced a heart attack.

"I couldn't believe it, honestly," Sanders told CBS Sports. "I thought it was like heartburn, but it just kind of persisted."

Sanders woke up on the incident feeling a burn inside his chest and ended up leaving the recruiting visit to drive himself to the emergency room in the afternoon. Medical tests soon revealed he'd experienced a heart attack.

"Of all things, I don't know why, that just never entered my mind," the father of four told CBS Sports. "I'm learning through this process that there aren't necessarily any warning signs, unless you do what we're encouraging people to do, which is to go to the doctor, get tested for LDL-C levels, or bad cholesterol."

Sanders is now participating in "The Making of a Heart Attack," a documentary set to air on Saturday, June 14 on A&E, in an effort to educate others about heart health.

"It's really been an education for me, learning about how frequent this happens all over the U.S.," said Sanders, who spent a decade playing for the Detroit Lions.

Sanders' doctor recommended medications, dietary modifications, and extra walking to improve his health. He acknowledges there's no one-size-fits-all health regime and encourages people to consult medical professionals.

"Sometimes it's hereditary and it's not like you're doing anything wrong," Sanders told CBS Sports. "There's a lot of different stories and examples out there. That's why it's important for people to have that conversation with their doctor."

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