Sig Hansen’s Doctor Is Worried About One Thing With Sig’s Heart Health

Captain Sig Hansen Gets Medical Green Light to Return to Sea — But One Habit Still Haunts Him

For decades, Captain Sig Hansen has faced some of the most brutal conditions on Earth. From commanding the F/V Northwestern through treacherous Alaskan waters to surviving multiple heart attacks, Sig has proven time and again that he’s built of tougher stuff than most. But in his most recent check-up, the challenge wasn’t a storm at sea — it was his own body, and a habit he just can’t seem to shake.

“Let’s go see what the doc has to say.”

Sig arrived at his appointment in good spirits, a welcome sign for someone who’s battled severe cardiac events in recent years. As the nurse prepped him for the visit, his blood pressure clocked in at 119/84 — a healthy reading, especially for a man with his history.

“All looking solid,” the nurse confirmed. “Dr. M will talk to you if he’s concerned.”

Soon after, Sig was face-to-face with Dr. M, a trusted physician who’s been by his side through past health scares.

“The trip was good — we had tremendous fishing.”

Back from a recent fishing trip, Sig was visibly energized. His tone shifted when asked about symptoms like chest pain.

“No,” he said. “Didn’t have any chest pains.”

But when the conversation turned to smoking, his voice grew more conflicted.

“I’m down to about a pack,” Sig admitted. “You know, if you got a lot of stress, people breathing down your neck… all of a sudden, you do toss your comfort thing.”

He paused.

“I don’t know if I can do it all at the same time.”

“It’s just making excuses. I know.”

Dr. M didn’t sugarcoat it.

“You’ve just got to recognize that’s probably the most important aspect in terms of your heart health — getting off those cigarettes.”

Sig nodded.

“We’ll get there eventually,” he said, not entirely convincing himself.

Back in His Element

Despite concerns about smoking, the overall report was encouraging. Dr. M acknowledged that Sig had essentially “stress tested” himself on the boat — and passed.

“If you’re doing your work, feeling good, and not falling into worse habits out there,” the doctor said, “then I’m completely in support of that.”

Sig agreed. “It’s where I feel whole. Back in my element.”

And then, with his signature dry humor, he added: “It was like happy. It was unicorns and rainbows… F yeah. For Alaska, that’s pretty hard to do.”

The Fight Continues

While the latest update brings hope, it also highlights a hard truth: Captain Sig Hansen is still in a battle — not against waves or wind, but against a habit that could undo all the progress he’s made.

For now, the sea still calls, and Sig is ready to answer. But if he wants to sail into the next chapter of his life — and perhaps even into retirement — he knows that quitting smoking might be the final storm he needs to conquer.

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