STEP UP TO THE PLATE, CHECK YOUR BAD CHOLESTEROL
Playing with Heart connects Merck’s commitment to cardiovascular health with America’s favorite pastime, baseball, to raise awareness and encourage adults to talk with their doctor about how lowering bad cholesterol could help lower their risk of heart attack or stroke.
Just like in baseball, numbers matter—a good first step is to talk to your doctor about your bad cholesterol number.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL
Did you know ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) is a type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States?
ASCVD is caused by the buildup of plaque (bad cholesterol, fats, and other substances) within the arteries. High bad cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major contributor to plaque buildup in the arteries.
High bad cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attack or stroke.
It’s called “bad” because high levels of it can silently build up in your arteries over time. This plaque buildup could increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Help lower your risk of heart
attack or stroke.
Talk with your doctor about setting a goal for your bad cholesterol number.
Each year, over 800,000 people in the US have a heart attack.* Plaque buildup in the arteries is a major cause of heart attacks.
*Based on data tabulated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) from the 2005 to 2014 ARIC study.
Playing with Heart
For the 2026 season, Merck is teaming up with these professional baseball teams for a series of events to raise awareness about bad cholesterol and the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com.
WomenHeart is proud to support Playing with Heart
Providing additional education on how bad cholesterol can impact heart health.