Drew Carey opens up about ignoring heart attack symptoms

The comedian thought he was just experiencing a high heart rate, not a heart attack.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Drew Carey, the 67-year-old comedian and host of "The Price is Right", revealed that he ignored signs of a heart attack during the run of his hit 1990s TV show "The Drew Carey Show" because he had misconceptions about what a heart attack looks like. Carey said his heart rate spiked and he felt numbness in his shoulder, but he thought he was just experiencing a high heart rate from jogging and didn't call his doctor right away. It wasn't until his symptoms persisted that he realized he was having a heart attack and called for an ambulance.

Why it matters

Carey's story highlights the importance of being aware of the signs of a heart attack and seeking immediate medical attention, even if the symptoms don't match the common depictions in media and entertainment. His experience underscores how misconceptions can lead people to ignore potentially life-threatening health issues.

The details

Carey said he was jogging to lose weight before returning to filming "The Drew Carey Show" when his heart rate spiked to 160 bpm and he felt numbness in his shoulder. However, he thought a heart attack was supposed to make someone "go ugh and fall down like in a cartoon." Instead of calling a doctor, he slowed down, ate at a diner, and promised his girlfriend he'd see a doctor the next day. It wasn't until his symptoms persisted during rehearsal that he finally called for an ambulance, worried he might not survive.

  • In the summer of 2001, during the run of "The Drew Carey Show".
  • The day Carey was supposed to return to filming the show after his summer break.

The players

Drew Carey

A 67-year-old comedian and host of "The Price is Right" television game show.

Sam Simon

The developer of "The Simpsons" who was also working on "The Drew Carey Show" at the time.

Marc Vahanian

An actor who helped Carey with his first post-heart attack workout.

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What they’re saying

“I was really overweight, and we were supposed to come back to taping. So, I had a little chest heart monitor and whatever. And I was jogging down my street, and my heart rate went up to like 160 or something like that, like really crazy, and I was like, 'Oh,' And I felt like numb in my shoulder.”

— Drew Carey (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)

“I thought if you had a heart attack, you would go ugh and fall down like in a cartoon. I thought that's what happened when you had a heart attack.”

— Drew Carey (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)

What’s next

Carey's doctor inserted a stent during a procedure after he was taken to the hospital, and he has since made lifestyle changes like cutting out alcohol and focusing on healthier eating.

The takeaway

Carey's experience underscores the importance of being aware of the signs of a heart attack and seeking immediate medical attention, even if the symptoms don't match common depictions. His story highlights how misconceptions can lead people to ignore potentially life-threatening health issues.