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A heart transplant is an operation in which a failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthier, donor heart. It is a treatment that's usually reserved for people who have tried medications or other surgeries, but their conditions haven't sufficiently improved. While a heart transplant is a major operation, your chance of survival is good, with appropriate follow-up care. When faced with a decision about having a heart transplant, know what to expect of the heart transplant process, the surgery itself, potential risks and follow-up care.

When a heart transplant is needed? Top

Heart transplants are performed when other treatments for heart problems haven't worked, leading to heart failure. In adults, heart failure can be caused by several conditions, including:

  • A weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart valve disease
  • A heart problem you're born with (congenital heart defect)
  
   
How do I know if I need a transplant?  
Some patients with severe heart disease may benefit from transplantation. Your cardiologist or pulmonary medicine specialist may refer you to a transplant center for an evaluation.  
   
Can anyone get a heart transplant?  
A heart transplant isn't the right treatment for everyone. Certain factors may mean you're not a good candidate for a heart transplant. While each case is considered individually by a transplant center.  
   
Who can donate a heart for transplant?  
Donors for heart transplants are individuals who may have recently died or become brain dead, which means that although the their body is being kept alive by machines, the brain has no sign of life.  
   
How are organ donors chosen? Top

A suitable organ donor must:

  • be brain dead (this means that although their heart is still beating, they have complete and irreversible loss of brain function)
  • have the same blood type as the recipient
  • have a similar body size and weight as the recipient
  • have healthy organs
  • have no detectable infectious diseases.

Before organ donation can happen, the donor's next-of-kin must agree to donating organs. If you would like to be an organ donor, talk to your next-of-kin and other close relatives, so that they understand and know what to do if you die.

  
   
Am I suitable for a heart transplant?  

To be suitable for a heart transplant:

  • your other organs, such as kidneys and liver, must work normally
  • if you smoke, you must have stopped smoking
  • if you drink alcohol, you will be encouraged to stop
  • you must be willing to take care of your new heart
  
   
What happens after a heart transplant? Top

You'll probably stay in hospital for about eight to 10 days after your heart transplant. You'll be given the rest of the medical care that you ll need as an outpatient.  At first, you'll have to see your doctor and cardiologist frequently, but eventually, you'll only need to have a check up once a year.

  
   
What are the complications?  

Heart transplant surgery requires open heart surgery, which carries the risk of many complications, including:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Death
  
   
What are the risks? Top

Although receiving a donor heart can save your life, having a heart transplant has many risks. Risks include:

  • Rejection of the donor heart
  • Problems with your coronary arteries
  • Medication side effects
  • Cancer
  • Infection
  
   
How will a transplant change my life?  
A successful transplant will dramatically improve your symptoms of heart disease. Many transplant recipients can perform the same physical activities and enjoy the same quality of life as those without transplants. All transplant recipients, however, are committed to daily drug treatment and close medical supervision for the rest of their lives.  
   
What happens when an organ is available? Top
   
When the transplant team decides that a potential donor is suitable for one of our recipients, we contact the patient as soon as possible. Since it is not possible to predict when a suitable organ will become available and there is a limited amount of time to recover the organs successfully, it is very important that we be able to locate recipients quickly and get them into the hospital in a timely fashion.  
   
Is the surgery very complicated?  
This depends on each patient's specific situation. During the evaluation interview, the transplant surgeon will review the details of the surgical procedure, the risks of the procedure and the expected recovery after surgery.  
   
What if your new heart fails?  
Heart transplants aren't successful for everyone. Your new heart may fail because of organ rejection or because of the development of heart valve disease or coronary artery disease. Should this happen, your doctor may recommend adjusting your medications or in more serious cases, another heart transplant.  
   
How soon after a donation must a heart be transplanted?  
A heart transplant usually needs to occur within four hours of organ removal for the donor organ to remain usable.  
   
How long will I stay in hospital? Top
This depends on your specific situation. Although patients can recover sufficiently after heart transplantation to be discharged within 10 days, it is more typical for patients to be hospitalised for two weeks or more.  
   
Will I have pain after the surgery?  
Generally, most patients do not report a lot of pain after heart transplant surgery. The incision does cause pain or discomfort when you cough. Doctors will give you pain medication and specific instructions to lessen the pain.  
   
What medications will I take after the transplant surgery?  
You will be on immunosuppressive, or anti-rejection, medications after your heart transplant. Along with the immunosuppressive medications you will need to take several medications that help protect your body from infection.  
   
When can I return to work? Top
You may return to work two to three months after the transplant surgery.  
   
How long does it take to fully recover?  
It generally takes three to six months to fully recover from heart transplant surgery. However, age and previous medical problems may cause a longer recovery period.   
   
What about organ rejection?  

You might have some form of organ rejection, particularly in the first six months after your heart transplant. It is common for people to have at least one episode of rejection. Rejection happens because your body s immune system thinks the new heart is a foreign object, so it tries to get rid of or reject it. To help prevent or slow down the rejection process, you'll need to take anti-rejection medicines (also called immunosuppressive medicines) for the rest of your life.

  
   
Do I have to take medications for the rest of my life? Top
Yes, you will need to take medications for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting your new heart. In addition to looking for rejection, your blood work will be evaluated to determine if the medications are too strong for you and need to be adjusted.  
   
Will I be able to have children?  
Yes. Neither the transplant procedure itself nor the drugs needed postoperatively impair fertility for either men or women.  
   
What can I do to keep my new heart healthy?  

There are some things you can do to help your new heart stay healthy.

  • Be a good patient: Know your medications. Ask questions until you understand. Follow the doctor's orders.
  • Follow a healthy diet: That means eat fresh foods; limit your saturated fats and sodium.
  • Exercise: Post-transplant life needs to have an exercise plan in it. Your new heart stays healthy by staying in shape!
  
   
How safe is it for women to become pregnant after transplantation? Top
Some women who have had a heart transplant can become pregnant. However, discuss with your doctor if you're considering having children after your transplant. You'll likely need medication adjustments before becoming pregnant, as some medications can cause pregnancy complications.