Kathy Heath had two heart procedures. She had a mitral valve replacement and tricuspid repair. As she worked to regain her strength, she worried about finding rehab exercises she could do. Ones that wouldn’t trigger the arthritis in her knees and hips. Little did she know a recumbent bike donors provided would be the answer to her prayers.

“It’s one of my favorite machines to work on,” she says. “There’s no pain with the bike. I go three days a week now and feel great. Once I get going on the bike, it’s almost like it’s moving me instead of me moving it.”

Thanks to donor generosity, cardiac rehab patients like Kathy have access to exercise equipment. Recumbent bikes put rehab patients in a safe, reclined position while they build strength in their arms and legs.

For Kathy, it’s the workout she needs to get stronger.

“It’s helping me get independently mobile again,” she says. “It also makes it easier for me to do the things I need to do around the house, and shop for my family.”

Kathy is grateful to donors for helping her get back on her feet after heart surgery.

“I’m not ready to leave this world yet,” she says. “You’ve given me the incentive to heal. My heart stopped twice during my procedure, and this bike has given me the will to get moving and do better.”