05/01/2026
When Jesus Rangel walked into a chiropractor’s office for a routine X-ray, he never imagined it would mark the beginning of a life-changing journey. Just 42 years old, the executive chef from Marshalltown was living a busy, vibrant life—until a sudden wave of chest pain and shortness of breath turned his world upside down.
“I had never felt anything like it,” Jesus recalls. “One moment I was lifting my arms for the X-ray, and the next, I was in excruciating pain and struggling to breathe.”
Recognizing the severity of his symptoms, Jesus requested an ambulance immediately. That decision likely saved his life. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors initially suspected a heart attack. But when tests ruled that out, a CT scan revealed the real culprit: an aortic dissection, a rare and dangerous tear in the body’s main artery.
His wife, Karen, vividly recalls the tense hours that followed. “They told me he needed surgery right away.”
Jesus underwent emergency surgery to repair the life-threatening tear, and the surgery lasted nearly 10 hours. While successful, it wasn’t without complications—Jesus suffered an acute kidney injury during recovery.
Thankfully, the kidney injury was resolved and, after two weeks in the hospital recovering from surgery, he returned home to Marshalltown with a new mechanical heart valve and a long road to recovery ahead.
That’s where UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown’s cardiac rehab program entered.
“His primary doctor and care team referred him to UnityPoint Health and made sure we got in quickly,” Karen explains.
For three months, Jesus worked with cardiac rehab nurses Stephanie Mitchell and Ashley Bonney, rebuilding his strength step by step.
“At first, I was hesitant,” Jesus admits. “My body was in pain, and I didn’t know what to expect. But Stephanie and Ashley were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. They made sure I was safe and progressing at the right pace.”
“Jesus put in hard work at cardiac rehab, and we were here to support him by cheering him along the way through his recovery process,” Bonney recalls. “He was a great support and cheerleader to the other patients in cardiac rehab. His positivity and encouragement helped several people in the program on their good
and bad days. It was a pleasure to be able to help him throughout his journey after surgery.”
The program wasn’t just about exercise. It was about community. 💙
“The other patients became my cheerleaders,” Jesus says with a smile. “We all had different stories, but the same goal—to get better. That support meant everything.”
Today, Jesus has graduated from the cardiac rehab program and is easing back into work and daily activities.
“I’m taking it slow,” he says, “but I feel stronger every day.”
He credits the program—and the people behind it—for giving him hope. “They didn’t just treat me like a patient. They cared about me as a person.”
“When our insurance initially denied coverage, the team fought for us,” Karen says. “They didn’t give up. That meant so much.”
Jesus’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of quick action, expert
care and compassionate support. “I’m grateful to be here,” he says. “Cardiac rehab gave me my life.”
👉A heart event changes everything. Cardiac rehab can improve survival, boost strength and confidence and speed safe recovery—just like it did for Jesus. Call (641) 328-7419 to learn more about cardiac rehab with the Marshalltown hospital team. ❤️
