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Denise Henson, Heart And Stroke Survivor, Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Alabama — Meet Denise (R), and her nieces, who help keep her going. (Denise Henson)

Denise Henson is a Registered Nurse and a diabetes educator—so she knows a thing or two about heath—but she’s also a stroke and heart survivor. She’s been on her personal heart health journey for nearly two decades now, and through all of it, this Moulton native keeps her head held high.

Now, she’s using her experience to encourage others. Keep reading for Denise’s story and what advice she has for taking care of your health.

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Denise Henson’s survivor story

When she was 28 years old, Denise had a massive stroke. Four years of recovery later, she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called central nervous system vasculitis.

Two years after the diagnosis, Denise started having light chin pain. She put it off for a while because she thought it was no big deal. When she started experiencing shortness of breath on top of it, she knew it was time to get it checked out.

“I went to my family doctor for a stress test. When that didn’t go well, they sent me to Huntsville Hospital to be admitted. Dr. Katta admitted me, and the next day did a catheterization, and they saw I had 99% blockage in my circumflex [branch of the left coronary artery]. So they did a stint immediately.”
Denise Henson

Denise was later diagnosed with systemic lupus (SLE).

Fast forward to September of 2025, and Denise started having the exact same symptoms—chin pain and shortness of breath.

She went to Princeton Baptist Health, the cardiologist gave her a nuclear stress test and it showed that Denise had anterior septal ischemia: 75% blockage to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.

The cardiology team proceeded with open-heart surgery and performed a minimally invasive procedure.

Finding hope in uncertain times

Though it was a scary and uncertain time, Denise found comfort in her friends and family who stayed with her in the hospital and offered her constant encouragement.

Good lessons to not be afraid to lean on others for support and encouragement when you’re going through health scares.

“Everyone was absolutely phenomenal. The first week that I was post-op, my friend Kristi stayed with me the entire time and helped take care of me. Then the second week, my niece Amy came to stay with me.

And I’m so thankful for everyone who prayed for me during this time. God uses every detail and works things out in a way that is good and for His glory and purpose.”
Denise Henson

And she was quick to shout out the team at Princeton Baptist.

“I can’t say enough about how amazing the people on the 3rd floor at Princeton Hospital are.

One guy, Jeffrey, is the one who would deliver the food, and from the very first day he walked in, it was all about how he could make me smile. We would just sit and color or talk while waiting for procedures and other things leading up to my surgery.

It’s not just a job to them. They’re living out what they’re called to do.”
Denise Henson

Denise’s advice for protecting your heart: Listen to your body!

Our conversation didn’t end without Denise offering some advice for listening and taking care of your own body.

“To women specifically: I feel like we are taking care of everyone else so often that we overlook ourselves. I could have lived the rest of my life with the chin pain because it was so subtle. Had it not been coupled with a little bit of shortness of breath, I never would have thought it would be cardiac.

So, pay attention to even the most subtle things.”
Denise Henson

We all have hearts, so it’s important that we know how to protect them. Denise’s story is a great reminder that we can all be proactive in keeping our hearts healthy!

Check out Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s heart health resources.

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