Football Legend Barry Sanders Spotlights LDL-C and Heart Attack Risk in New Film

Amgen's first-ever documentary, The Making of a Heart Attack, premiered on A&E on June 14. Featuring football legend Barry Sanders, the film spotlights the cardiovascular disease crisis in the U.S. through the voices of real people who have faced heart attacks.

Building upon the momentum of the premiere, Amgen took The Making of a Heart Attack to the global stage at the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity — one of the world's most prestigious events for storytelling. At Cannes, Amgen highlighted how the documentary's authentic narratives can inspire action in ways that often data and statistics alone cannot, and why driving urgency around the role of high LDL ("bad") cholesterol is so important to changing the course of the cardiovascular disease crisis in the U.S.

During a panel discussion that followed the screening titled, "The Making of a Heart Attack: Turning Data into Documentary," Michelle Carillo, Amgen's associate vice president of Corporate Affairs brought together Sanders and two of the other voices featured in the film: Heart Sistas founder and patient advocate, Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis, and interventional cardiologist and member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Dr. Sara Collins. Their conversation emphasized the power of collaboration in tackling cardiovascular disease and the role of storytelling in driving awareness and action.

To help reinforce the link between high LDL-C and cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, Amgen also partnered with Mended Hearts Europe, a global advocacy organization, to offer free on-site educational materials to Cannes attendees.

Inside The Making of a Heart Attack

LDL-C is one of the leading – but also one of the most modifiable — risk factors for heart attack and stroke. However, high LDL-C often shows no symptoms — in fact more than 40% of adults in the U.S. with high LDL-C don't know their levels are elevated.¹ Over time, elevated LDL-C can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart or brain and increasing the risk of a cardiovascular event.^2-4

As Sanders recounted the heart attack he experienced on Father's Day 2024, he reflected on all that he did not know at the time, and what he's learned about LDL-C since.

"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," Sanders said. "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."

In addition to Sanders, Ferguson-Davis, and Dr. Collins, the film features: Tara Robinson, CEO of the Black Heart Association; Gigi Campos, a WomenHeart Champion; and her father Ponciano Gari.

Together, they share how cardiovascular events have touched their lives firsthand — and how they're now navigating their recovery and managing their risk factors moving forward.

Reaching More People with an Urgent Message

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the most urgent public health challenges in the U.S. Amgen is committed to helping change that.