Captain Sig Hansen Has A Terrifying Heart Attack That Could End His Fishing Career | Deadliest Catch

A Captain’s Wake-Up Call: Sig Hansen’s Brush with Mortality

On the icy seas of Alaska, where every day is a test of endurance, Captain Sig Hansen has faced countless dangers. But nothing could have prepared him for the storm brewing within his own body. This season, Sig encountered a challenge no rough water or broken pot could rival: a heart attack that brought him to the brink of mortality.

“It’s Too Soon to Feel Anything”

As the captain of the Northwestern, Sig is no stranger to stress. “Every year, something happens that I never thought of,” he said, reflecting on his career’s unpredictability. But the true unpredictability this year came not from the sea but from his own chest.

Midway through the season, Sig began experiencing sharp, stabbing pains. “It’s like a knife in my chest,” he explained, clutching his left arm as pain radiated through his body. His crew, alarmed, urged him to seek immediate medical attention. “I think we should go to the clinic,” they insisted.

At first, Sig tried to downplay his symptoms, attributing them to stress, bad sleep, or even a muscle cramp. But as the pain worsened, reality set in: this wasn’t something he could power through. “I think I might have had a small heart attack,” he admitted.

A Race Against Time

Recognizing the severity of the situation, Sig’s brother Edgar Hansen took the helm, racing the Northwestern to shore to ensure Sig could receive urgent medical care. EMTs transported him to the airport, where he was flown to a medical facility for specialized treatment.

The diagnosis was sobering. Sig had suffered what doctors later confirmed to be a significant heart attack, with dangerously elevated troponin levels—a marker for heart damage. “A little heart attack might give you a troponin level of 0.5 or 1,” the doctor explained. “Sig’s was 80.”

The medical team identified the cause as a Widowmaker, a life-threatening blockage in one of the heart’s main arteries. “This could have killed you,” the doctor told him. “You’re lucky to be alive.”

Family by His Side

As Sig underwent treatment, his wife Yuna and daughters Nina and Mandy rushed to his side, flying in from the Lower 48. For his family, the news was a devastating shock. “You never think it’s going to happen to you or someone close to you,” Mandy said, her voice heavy with emotion. “I’m just more than thankful that he’s still here, still alive.”

For Sig, seeing his family gathered around him was a poignant reminder of what truly mattered. “I have everything to live for,” he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. “It makes you think about how precious life is—how fast it can be taken away.”

A Changed Perspective

The aftermath of the heart attack left Sig reflecting deeply on his life and choices. The grueling demands of fishing, combined with years of stress, had taken a toll on his body. Though his recovery would be slow, Sig’s resolve remained strong.

“I’ve always pushed myself,” he admitted. “But this… this was different. The doctor said most people don’t even make it to the hospital with this kind of heart attack. I’m lucky—so lucky.”

While the experience has irrevocably changed Sig, it has also strengthened his bond with his family. Mandy, who had joined him on the boat for a final trip before the incident, spoke about the significance of learning from her father. “Being able to see what my dad does and having him teach me the ropes out there means a lot. You never know the last time you’re going to see your parents.”

The Fragility of Life

As Sig recuperates, his focus has shifted to what truly matters: his family and the life he’s built. “Sure makes you think how precious life is, how fast it can all change,” he said. “I’m a lucky guy.”

For Sig Hansen, the sea will always call, but this season’s battle wasn’t with the waves or the weather—it was with himself. And for the captain of the Northwestern, survival has never meant more.