Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/amgen/9340551-en-amgen-barry-sanders-highlight-dangers-bad-cholesterol-new-documentary
The Making of a Heart Attack features renowned former football running back, Barry Sanders , who reveals he experienced a heart attack on Father's Day in 2024 and what he's learned since then about high LDL or "bad" cholesterol—a leading, but often hidden risk factor for cardiovascular events. 2-7
"I've spent my life as a professional athlete taking care of my body, but I had no idea I was living with a silent risk that could lead to a heart attack," said Sanders. "My message to other people is simple: don't wait. Get your LDL-C tested and talk to your doctor. Knowing your number is an important step to understanding your risk." 7
More than 40% of adults with high LDL-C in the U.S. do not know their levels are high. 8 The documentary educates viewers about LDL-C and how it can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, putting individuals at risk of a cardiovascular event. 5
"We know that high LDL-C is one of the leading, yet most modifiable, risk factors for heart attack and stroke. 1 However, the cardiovascular disease public health crisis continues," said Paul Burton , M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Amgen. " The Making of a Heart Attack should be a wake-up call for everyone. Amgen is committed to leading change by increasing LDL-C testing and encouraging patients and the entire healthcare system to act with urgency to overcome inertia and address this issue."
Featured alongside Sanders sharing their own stories of living with cardiovascular disease are Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis, founder of Heart Sistas; Tara Robinson , CEO of the Black Heart Association; Gigi Campos , a WomenHeart Champion; and her father, Ponciano Gari . Sara Collins , M.D., FACC, an interventional cardiologist and member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, provides her expert medical perspective throughout.
The documentary is part of Amgen's broader ambition to cut the number of heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. in half by 2030. Working with advocacy leaders, medical societies, healthcare systems and research institutions, Amgen is advancing efforts to drive earlier LDL-C testing, expand access to care and improve health outcomes.
Watch The Making of a Heart Attack on June 14, 2025 , at 1 p.m. ET on A&E (check local listings). The documentary will be available to watch online at AttackHeartDisease.com/Documentary beginning June 16, 2025 and will be featured at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025.
To learn more about LDL-C, especially if you have cardiovascular disease, including how to get a free cholesterol test, visit AttackHeartDisease.com/Test . Be sure to talk to your doctor about your results.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to help millions of patients in their fight against some of the world's toughest diseases. More than 40 years ago, Amgen helped to establish the biotechnology industry and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what's known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline that builds on its existing portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases and rare diseases.
In 2024, Amgen was named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company and one of "America's Best Large Employers" by Forbes, among other external recognitions . Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, and it is also part of the Nasdaq-100 Index®, which includes the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization.
For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow Amgen on X , LinkedIn , Instagram , YouTube and Threads .
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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
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REFERENCES
- Martin SS, et al. Circulation . 2024;149:e347-e913.
- Grundy SM, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol . 2019;73:3168-3209.
- McKinley EC, et al. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther . 2023;37:107-116.
- Wilkinson MJ, et al. J Am Heart Assoc . 2023;12:11:e028892:1-22.
- Understanding and Managing LDL (Bad) Cholesterol. American Heart Association. Accessed June 2025 . https://www.heart.org/-/media/Files/Health-Topics/Cholesterol/My-LDL-Cholesterol-Guide.pdf .
- Underberg J, et al. Postgrad Med . 2022;134:752-762.
- Heart Disease Risk Factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 2, 2024 . Accessed June 2025 . www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/risk-factors/index.html .
- Sayed A, et al. JAMA Cardiol . 2023;8(12):1185–1187.
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