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Heart Transplant
Surgery to replace a failing heart with a healthy donor heart. It is considered for end-stage heart failure when other treatments no longer work.
Causes & risk factors
- End-stage heart failure
- Severe cardiomyopathy
- Severe coronary artery disease not treatable otherwise
- Serious congenital heart disease
- Life-threatening rhythm disorders
Common symptoms
Tests & diagnosis
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac catheterisation
- Blood tests
- Kidney function
- Tissue typing / cross-match
Treatment & management
- Assessment and placement on a transplant waiting list
- Bridging support such as mechanical heart pumps if needed
- The transplant operation itself
- Lifelong anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medicines
- Regular monitoring for rejection and infection
When to see a doctor urgently
- Call emergency services for fever, severe breathlessness or chest pain after transplant
- See your transplant team urgently for signs of rejection or infection
- Never stop anti-rejection medicines without medical advice
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about heart transplant. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you live after a heart transplant?
Many recipients live for well over a decade; outcomes depend on age, health and follow-up care.
Why are lifelong medicines needed?
Immunosuppressants stop the body rejecting the new heart, so they must be taken exactly as prescribed.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.