When Gerry Glass learned he had a 100 percent blockage in his left anterior descending (LAD) artery and a total blockage in a branch artery as well, it was the shock of his life. Yet, it was an extensive family history with heart disease that brought him to see his cardiologist in the first place. His father had died of a heart attack at age 58, his grandfather at age 61. Only in his late 50s, the Fort Lee husband and father of two was now facing his own mortality.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But Gerry was determined not to become a statistic. He now knows someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds. And 1 in 5 will be readmitted to the hospital for a second cardiac event in 5 years. So, after a triple bypass in May 2024, he committed himself to cardiac-rehabilitation three times a week to kickstart changes in lifestyle. He dedicated himself so much that it earned him recognition as this year’s Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) Cardiac Patient of the Year.
“I think the team noticed I was very determined. I showed up for every session, I was always on time and I stayed longer than most patients did so I could do a variety of exercises. Every week I would increase the amount of exercise or difficulty level. While I was always physically active, I had never gone to the gym before so that had to change. The team taught me how to do different exercises and how to eat well. The support, knowledge, encouragement and compassion were unbelievable,” Gerry said.
HUMC’s Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center team includes registered nurses with critical care experience, exercise physiologists and a registered dietitian. The program includes medically prescribed and supervised exercise, risk factor modification counseling and a follow-up exercise program for those who want to maintain cardiac fitness. Our board certified experts help patients return to their highest possible level of function, independence and quality of life after a cardiac event. The team helps patients with heart disease meet individual treatment goals, including:
- Controlling heart disease risk factor reduction
- Endurance and strength training
- Stress Management
- Heart healthy nutritional education
- Reduces cardiac symptoms
- Creating an exercise plan they maintain on their own
- Reducing mortality risk
- Smoking cessation program
- Return to daily functioning
For Gerry, the recognition as Cardiac Patient of the Year is welcome. But the best reward is the health and quality of life he’s regained since his surgery. It’s a gift he gets to enjoy with his wife Lori – his number one supporter – who works as a respiratory therapist at HUMC.
“Being I’ve worked here as long as I have since 1986, it felt good knowing the people who would be treating him were already like family. I know he was skeptical about going to cardiac rehab at first but when he does something, he does it well. I know when he makes the determination he will see it through. We are grateful,” said Lori, who calls her husband her “rock star” and said she is very much looking forward to a special Valentine’s Day together. “We made plans to go see an Elvis impersonator overnight in Atlantic City.”
“It’s truly inspiring to witness the transformation of our cardiac patients,” says Diane Richard, RN, with the Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Center. “To see someone who was once so critically ill embrace lifestyle changes, regain their strength, and actively minimize their risk of future heart episodes is incredibly rewarding.”
The entire Cardiac Rehab team says Gerry’s recovery is a testament to his resilience, as well as the support of his entire family. They hope each patient’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that education, support, and a commitment to how healthy habits can have on reclaiming and extending life.
Along with this increased health and knowledge, Gerry says an unexpected plus from cardiac rehab are the bonds he formed not only with team members, but with other patients. He’s enjoyed comparing notes on how they’re progressing, what foods they’re eating and different variations on chicken and vegetable recipes!
“I’m only 60 years old. I hope to have many years left and I plan on making the most of this new life that I’ve been given,” Gerry said.
And it truly is a new life for Gerry and the many other patients who participate in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Statistics show once patients learn to how to reduce their risk factors, they have a 31% less chance of a future heart attack and a 47% lower risk of death
Congratulations to Gerry Glass on being named the 2025 Cardiac Patient of the Year! To find out more about HUMC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, call 551-996-3856.