Transylvania County mom shares journey from heart failure to hope after heart attack at 33

Connestee Falls, NC — At just 33 years old, Avery Thedford of Connestee Falls — a mother of two young boys — faced a terrifying diagnosis: a "Widowmaker" heart attack and heart failure. Now, she's sharing her story of survival and recovery to raise awareness and inspire hope.

It was a typical Saturday — February 8 — when Thedford experienced what she first believed to be persistent indigestion. But as the pain in her chest lingered and intensified, she knew something wasn’t right.

“My husband and I had pizza, so I chalked it up to indigestion,” said Thedford. “But it didn’t go away. We drove to Transylvania Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department with both kids in the car. The pain in the center of my chest radiated to my shoulders, my fingers were going numb. I thought—this is it. I might not make it. I thought it could be the last time I’d hear my kids' voices.”

Doctors quickly confirmed she was having a heart attack, and not just any kind—Thedford had a 70% blockage in her left anterior descending (LAD) artery, often dubbed the “Widowmaker” because of its severity. She was also in heart failure, with an ejection fraction of just 15%. (A healthy range is typically between 50-70%.) Ejection fraction is how well the left side of the heart pumps blood out to the body.

“I was told if I hadn’t come in when I did, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” she said.

Following emergency surgery, Thedford was referred to Transylvania Regional Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program by Dr. James Usedom — a decision she now credits with helping to save not only her heart, but her life.

“This program helped immensely with my mental health, ejection fraction recovery, habit building — everything,” she said. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made. It changed my life.”

The hospital’s Cardiac Rehab program includes 36 sessions over several weeks, combining medically supervised exercise, education, and peer support.

Teri Redmond, TRH’s Cardiac Rehab Program Manager, said the transformation they see in patients is remarkable.

“A lot of people come to us feeling down and defeated. But by the time they graduate, they’re standing taller, full of life and optimism,” said Redmond. “It’s why we do what we do.”

For Thedford, the emotional recovery was just as challenging as the physical one. With no obvious risk factors, the heart attack left her shaken — and searching for answers.

“I kept asking myself, why did this happen to me?” she said. “I found out later that my dad, who passed two years ago, had a heart event in his thirties too. So, there may have been a genetic component.”

In the days that followed her heart attack, Thedford grappled with fear and grief. She skipped her son’s Valentine’s Day party, convinced she could collapse at any moment. She wrote letters and emails to her children, unsure if she’d see them grow up.

“I was constantly crying and holding them. I was scared every minute.”

But each rehab session became a turning point — an anchor pulling her back to hope.

“This team is so excited to see you every time,” Thedford said. “Mentally, you can dig your hole deeper and deeper, but they always throw the ladder down for you. They help you find the strength to climb out.”

Today, Thedford’s heart is stronger, and her ejection fraction has significantly improved. She now prioritizes her health with medication, clean eating, regular exercise — and moments of stillness.

“In the morning, I try to just be present,” she said. “I go outside, listen to the birds, think of all the people I love. You aren’t promised tomorrow — all you have is right now.”

Her message to others is simple but powerful: don’t ignore your symptoms, and don’t neglect your well-being.

“It’s not selfish to take 30 minutes for yourself. You can’t fix your heart unless you show up for yourself.”

For more information about Transylvania Regional Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, visit MissionHealth.org/Transylvania or reach out to Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager Teri Redmond at via email or call (828) 883-5322.