Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck advocates for cholesterol screening

Hasselbeck urges families to get tested after father's sudden cardiac arrest death

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:47pm

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Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is partnering with the Family Heart Foundation to raise awareness about the importance of cholesterol screening, especially after the sudden cardiac arrest death of his father, Don Hasselbeck, at age 70. Hasselbeck was initially skeptical about getting his cholesterol checked, but was humbled when his results came back high, despite his active lifestyle. He is now encouraging everyone to visit CholesterolConnect.org to order a free at-home cholesterol screening kit.

Why it matters

Hasselbeck's story highlights the need for regular cholesterol screening, even among active and seemingly healthy individuals. Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death, and high cholesterol is a major risk factor. By sharing his personal experience, Hasselbeck hopes to inspire others to take proactive steps to monitor their heart health.

The details

After his father's sudden passing, Hasselbeck's mother urged him and his brothers to get comprehensive health screenings, including for cholesterol. Despite his athletic background, Hasselbeck was surprised to find that his cholesterol levels were too high. He has now partnered with the Family Heart Foundation to launch the 'Tackle Cholesterol: Get into the LDL Safe Zone' campaign, encouraging families to get tested and take action to lower their risk.

  • Hasselbeck's father, Don Hasselbeck, passed away suddenly at age 70 from cardiac arrest.
  • Following his father's death, Hasselbeck's mother urged him and his brothers to get screened for various health conditions, including cholesterol.

The players

Matt Hasselbeck

A three-time Pro Bowl quarterback who played 18 seasons in the NFL, including 10 with the Seattle Seahawks.

Don Hasselbeck

Matt Hasselbeck's father, who passed away suddenly at age 70 from cardiac arrest.

Family Heart Foundation

A non-profit organization that Hasselbeck has partnered with to launch the 'Tackle Cholesterol: Get into the LDL Safe Zone' campaign.

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What they’re saying

“It was really my mom who said to, you know, there's three boys in our family and said, 'Boys, I want you to get screened for everything, you know, calcium score in your heart, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol.''”

— Matt Hasselbeck, Pro Bowl Quarterback (Fox News Digital)

“And we kind of like to be honest kind of rolled my eyes at the cholesterol one, because I was like, 'Oh, that's for people that are out of shape, the people that I crush on the Peloton.'”

— Matt Hasselbeck, Pro Bowl Quarterback (Fox News Digital)

“I was humbled really when my scores came back. A lot of my other scores were great, fantastic, and the cholesterol thing was too high, and I was shocked to be honest, and I can't take credit for taking ownership.”

— Matt Hasselbeck, Pro Bowl Quarterback (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

Hasselbeck is urging families and fans to visit CholesterolConnect.org to order a free, one-time at-home cholesterol screening kit.

The takeaway

Hasselbeck's story underscores the importance of regular cholesterol screening, even for active and seemingly healthy individuals. By sharing his personal experience, he hopes to inspire others to take proactive steps to monitor their heart health and lower their risk of cardiac events.