Comedian Drew Carey Details Surviving "Silent" Heart Attack During Sitcom Success

Comedian Drew Carey shares a harrowing story about unknowingly having a heart attack in 2001, highlighting the dangers of ignoring subtle cardiac symptoms.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 7:18 AM EST

Source: People

Misinterpreting Cartoon Tropes for Medical Reality

Carey, now 67, revealed that his perception of a heart attack was heavily influenced by pop culture rather than medical literature. At the time of the incident, Carey was significantly overweight and had decided to begin a jogging regimen. While running with a heart monitor, he noticed his heart rate spiking to dangerous levels and experienced numbness in his shoulder classic indicators of cardiac distress. However, he admitted to Danson that he expected a heart attack to involve a dramatic, "cartoon-like" collapse, which led him to pause, wait for his pulse to slow, and simply continue his day.

From Chili Spaghetti to the Emergency Room

The comedian’s account highlights the dangerous period of denial that often follows a "silent" or mild heart attack. After the initial episode, Carey met his then-girlfriend and described his symptoms as merely "the weirdest thing." Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, he opted for a heavy dinner of chili spaghetti at Bob’s Big Boy, promising to call a doctor the following morning. It wasn't until he returned to the set of The Drew Carey Show for rehearsals the next day that the physical reality became unavoidable.

A Critical Moment in the Writer’s Room

The situation escalated during a production meeting when Carey felt his chest tighten once again. After struggling to climb the stairs to his trailer, the gravity of the situation finally set in. Carey recalled the emotional moment of calling a producer to request an ambulance and saying what he feared were his final goodbyes to his friend and director, Sam Simon. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors confirmed the heart attack and immediately performed surgery to place a stent in one of his blocked arteries.