A Second Chance: How Cardiac Rehab Helped Rebuild Strength After Heart Surgery
When Mary Henry laced up her walking shoes each day, she thought she was doing everything she could to stay healthy.
For years, the fourth-grade teacher made walking a regular part of her routine even while living with a heart condition that had first changed her life decades earlier. But after undergoing major heart surgery in 2025, she discovered another valuable tool that changed her recovery: cardiac rehab.
Through cardiac rehab programs at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital (JMH) and Springfield Memorial Hospital (SMH), Henry found the guidance, support and confidence she needed to return to the activities she loves and to focus on the future.
Henry was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis in 1995 while pregnant with her daughter. Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve that makes it harder for blood to flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
In June 1996, just five months after delivering her daughter, Henry underwent her first aortic valve replacement. She chose a human tissue valve, and it lasted for 30 years, far longer than expected.
Over the next three decades, Henry continued teaching and raising her family with her husband. She also made exercise a priority, walking five days a week for much of the past 10 years. But as her valve began to fail, she started slowing down and shortening walks.
In August 2025, Henry underwent her second aortic valve replacement. This time, surgeons placed a mechanical valve and repaired an aortic aneurysm. Her recovery was far more complicated than the first time she underwent heart surgery. But unlike 30 years earlier, she had access to cardiac rehabilitation.
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help patients recover after heart surgery, heart attack or other cardiovascular conditions. Programs combine monitored exercise, education and support to help patients safely rebuild strength and endurance.
Henry began Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation at JMH in October 2025. When she returned to work during Thanksgiving week, she transferred to SMH’s program to take advantage of later hours that fit her schedule.
After completing the program in January, she chose to continue with Phase 3 cardiac rehab in Jacksonville to maintain her progress. Cardiac rehab gave her access to exercise equipment and structured workouts that helped her gradually increase her fitness level. Just as important was the peace of mind that came from exercising in a supervised environment.
“The security of knowing that you have medical staff there to assist for any reason made all the difference to me,” Henry said. With trained professionals nearby, she felt comfortable pushing herself a little farther, whether that meant exercising longer or increasing the intensity of a workout.
Throughout her recovery, Henry found encouragement from the cardiac rehab teams in both Jacksonville and Springfield. She asked lots of questions and appreciated thoughtful answers from staff. Their support helped her build confidence during a recovery process that included not only a new heart valve but also a permanent pacemaker.
Today, Henry continues participating in Phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation and remains focused on staying active. Her motivation is simple – their family.
“Movement is crucial to keep my heart healthy,” she said. “I’m looking at my future, and I want to have many years with my grandchildren. Cardiac rehabilitation is helping me with that goal.”