“Sleepless nights, anxiety—I wouldn’t have made it without help.”
In a heartfelt conversation, ESPN host Mike Greenberg shared his struggles with atrial fibrillation (afib), a common heart rhythm disorder. He openly discussed how living in fear of his condition affected him.
“At first, it was manageable with medication; I was using a beta blocker and tried a ‘pocket-in-the-pocket’ approach,” Greenberg, 57, said. “But that eventually failed.”
The alarming moment came when he and another father rushed to a hospital, convinced they were experiencing a heart attack. “I was just sitting on my couch, and suddenly my heart was racing at 160 or 170 beats per minute. It felt like I was sprinting while I was relaxed,” he recalled.
He talked about the years he spent waiting in dread, anticipating another episode. “Episodes were happening more often. The medication just didn’t do its job anymore. I’d wake up with my heart racing, feeling anxious and scared.”
Reflecting on one particular trip to Burgundy, France—the region he loves—he confessed he couldn’t fully enjoy himself. “I would sip a little wine, but I was terrified it would trigger an episode.” That trip made him realize he couldn’t continue living in that way.
For a time, he worked tirelessly at ESPN, keeping his condition to himself. But the worsening situation began affecting every aspect of his life.
In March 2023, after seeking a second opinion, Dr. Jim Chong suggested a catheter ablation procedure.
After undergoing the procedure, he managed to return to work within a week and has not experienced symptoms since. “That second opinion changed everything,” Greenberg described. “I met Dr. Chang, who thought I was a suitable candidate for the procedure. I figured I’d schedule it around the NFL Free Agency and NBA playoffs.”
Greenberg described waking up from the procedure and being back to his normal routine within three weeks, even resuming workouts without any episodes. “It was life-changing.”
He expressed gratitude for the technology from Johnson & Johnson Medtech that made his recovery possible. “Without that procedure, I don’t think I’d be here today. The sleepless nights and anxiety were tough.”
Despite not having his “Sunday Countdown” role at that time, he noted that now it has become a career highlight, one he wouldn’t have achieved without the procedure. He also clarified some misinformation circulating about his health, stating he never underwent heart surgery.
When his health became public through social media, he was surprised by the outpouring of support. “People were praying for me as if I’d had major heart surgery, which wasn’t even close to the truth.”
This awareness—or lack thereof—about afib drove him to partner with Johnson & Johnson Medtech. Together, they aim to educate others about the symptoms and treatment options available for the condition with a campaign called “Get Smart About AFIB.”
He carries medication with him for peace of mind, but has yet to experience another episode. “That procedure really brought me back to life; it was scary.”
Greenberg’s message is straightforward: “I’m not a doctor, but if you suspect you have afib, don’t settle for the first answer. Get a second opinion.”
Now, he feels as if the whole ordeal never happened. “I’m not taking it lightly, but I’m living life as if it’s behind me.”
During his hardest moments living with afib, his thoughts often turned to his wife Stacey and their children, Stephen and Nicole. “I’ve been in this industry for 30 years, and I’m grateful for every moment. When faced with health challenges, I found myself thinking more about my kids than anything else.”
With a senior in college and another child nearby, he cherishes the time they spend together, looking forward to future milestones, like grandchildren.
Although his busy schedule remains the same, Greenberg feels great. “I love hosting ‘Get Up,’ the NFL show on Sundays, and my podcast. This year, hosting the NFL Draft was a blast.”
As he approaches his 29th anniversary with ESPN this August, he reflects, “I’m 58 now, which means I’ve spent half my life with ESPN.”
“I’m just thankful to have a job I’ve always dreamed of. I hope I never take it for granted.”
