A heart transplant is an operation to replace a diseased heart with a healthy human heart from a donor who has died.
Why a heart transplant is needed
When the heart can no longer work efficiently and a person’s life is potentially at risk, a heart transplant may be needed.
Most heart transplants are performed on people with severe heart failure (see box, below left). However, not everyone who has severe heart failure is suitable for a transplant (see Why you might be unsuitable for a heart transplant).
Most people referred for a transplant assessment will have been treated by a cardiologist, who will have tried appropriate conventional treatments first.
How common are heart transplants?
In 2008, 130 heart transplant operations were carried out in the UK, of which 34 were on young people under the age of 16.
The number of donor organs available is extremely small compared to the number of patients who could benefit from a transplant.
Alternatives
Other technologies are now becoming available to treat patients with heart failure.
For example, left ventricular assist devices can be used to support a failing heart until a donor heart becomes available, or can even be used as a permanent alternative to a transplant.
Outlook
A heart transplant is complicated surgery that usually takes three to five hours.
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.
You will have a blood test every six weeks and will be seen at the transplant centre every three months for the rest of your life.
