Heart transplant - Risks 

Risks of a heart transplant include:

• failure of the transplanted heart to pump properly (primary graft dysfunction)
• rejection of the donor heart (see below)
• infection
• narrowing of the arteries of the new heart

Taking immunosuppressant medication can also make certain types of cancer more likely.

What is rejection?

Rejection is a normal reaction of the body. When a new organ is transplanted, your body’s immune system sees it as a threat and produces antibodies against it, which can stop it from working properly.

Immunosuppressant drugs (which weaken your immune system) are given during and after your transplant and must be taken for life, so your body will not reject your new heart.