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Heart Transplant:

A heart transplant is a medical procedure that involves replacing a failing heart with a healthy heart from a donor. The process is seen as a last resort for treating heart conditions and is generally recommended by doctors when other treatments haven’t been fruitful. These treatments are surgeries, and they use medications to treat heart problems.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart is not working as efficiently as it usually should. Your entire body needs blood to perform all the necessary functions. When the blood flow becomes insufficient, due to the heart being unable to pump blood adequately, then disruption occurs; this makes your heart weak. Heart failure can affect any side of your heart, or it can affect both sides of your heart at the same time.

The heart transplant procedure is complex. It takes several hours for heart transplant surgery to be completed. If this is the second time that you're having heart surgery, then the heart transplant surgery can take longer than expected; the procedure is open-heart surgery. Firstly, you will receive general anaesthesia in the form of medication so that you sleep. Your body must receive oxygen-rich blood, which is why you will be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine.

Secondly, the surgeon will make an incision, and this allows them to operate on your heart. The incision will be made such that the chest bone is separated and the rib cage is opened. The surgeon then removes the diseased heart. The healthy donor heart is then sewn in place, and the blood vessels are then attached to the new heart. This process enables blood to start flowing, and the heart then starts to beat normally. If the donor's heart has trouble beating, then an electric shock might be given.

Once the heart transplant procedure is completed, you will receive pain relief medications. A ventilator will be used so that you don't have trouble breathing after heart surgery. Fluids need to be drained after the surgery, and this is done with the help of tubes that are attached to your heart and lungs. You will receive medicines and fluids through IV tubes once the surgery has been completed. You will stay in the ICU for a few days after the heart transplant surgery.

You will then be moved to a general hospital room where you can stay for a few weeks. Your stay in the ICU and hospital room depends on your situation and the surgery. Once you are discharged from the hospital, then you will be monitored frequently to ensure your health is as it should be. The monitoring is more frequent in the first few months, after your heart transplant surgery, and afterwards, the frequency decreases.

The tests include heart biopsies and electrocardiograms, among others. Heart biopsies are used to determine whether the new healthy donor heart is being rejected by your body or not. There is a higher chance in the beginning for your new heart to be rejected by your body, which is why heart biopsies occur more at that time. Mostly, there are no symptoms that give you an indication of your body rejecting the heart.

Some of the symptoms that can indicate donor heart rejection include unexplained weight gain, inability to breathe properly, fatigue, and not urinating as much as you normally do. These symptoms can indicate an infection, too, which is why you must contact your doctor whenever you experience something out of the ordinary.

You can prepare for your heart transplant, depending on how long you need to wait for a donor's heart. You can start preparing for your surgery well in advance. This is best done by writing down any questions you may have and asking your doctor about them. For instance, you might want to know about the heart transplant cost, the duration of the procedure, and if there are any special arrangements that you need to make, in advance.

By asking questions, you will know how to prepare yourself, in the best way, for a heart transplant. This will help decrease stress because having a heart transplant can be quite stressful. Several tests will be done to ensure you are eligible for receiving a heart transplant. An evaluation will be done to ensure you are emotionally and physically ready to receive the donor’s heart. Your doctor will be best able to guide you about how you can best prepare for a heart transplant depending on your unique case.

Your doctor will provide you with thorough information about recovery after a heart transplant. You will need to ensure that you listen carefully to what your doctor says and follow the instructions so that you can recover well. People who receive heart transplants are usually able to lead better lives after the surgery and can go back to their usual activities. Recovery can take six months, but it can vary from person to person.

As long as you are taking the medicines prescribed by your doctor and taking good care of yourself, as per your doctor's recommendations, there is nothing for you to worry about. If you're a woman who has received a heart transplant and you are planning to have a baby, then you should speak to your doctor about it. Usually, women don't have a problem conceiving after a heart transplant, but the medications can cause complications.

You will be constantly monitored after a heart transplant. In the first few months, many tests will be conducted to ensure the new heart has been accepted by your body, and to ensure additional problems won't crop up. You will need to ensure you are staying healthy at all times so that you can enjoy a good quality of life, after a heart transplant. Ensure you meet your doctor regularly and inform him about any problems you are experiencing.

Q.   What difference would a heart transplant surgery make to your life?

1. A heart transplant will make you free from the agonies of the determinants and symptoms of heart failure. After the transplant, you may become healthy to perform all the physical activities without any hassle. Therefore, you have to follow all the precautions and medicine courses that your physician prescribes to keep your transplanted heart healthy.

Q.   How much time would I need to get discharged from the hospital after the heterotopic heart transplant?

1. The heart transplant procedure is neither too complicated nor too easy to deal with. It takes around 10 to 15 days for you to get discharged from the hospital if you have no severe complications. Sometimes, a heart recipient takes two weeks to cover up the weakness of a heart transplant.

Q.   Which will stand the best heart hospital in India for me?

1. You need to discover which is the best heart hospital in India. Narayana Health is here for a hassle-free heart transplant procedure. Doctors at Narayana health work diligently to render less-complexed heart treatment surgery. The doctors will guide you everything from diet to precautions. They don't leave any stone unturned in your betterment. You can trust Narayana health, where the treatment causes the most effective heart transplant surgery.

Q.   Can I continue to exercise after a heart transplant?

1. Exercise is great for enhancing your overall health, and it is recommended by doctors after a heart transplant, as well. Regular exercise helps you reduce stress and control other conditions, so you can stay healthy; it helps you recover faster too so that you have strength. Not all types of exercises may be recommended though depending on your particular condition. You must consult with your doctor about the types of exercise that you can perform after a heart transplant.

Q.   What are the chances of survival after receiving a heart transplant?

1. Survival rates, of people who have received a heart transplant, are high. With the right guidance and constant follow-up care, the chances of you surviving for five years, or more, after a heart transplant are high.

Q.   I have heart failure but I am managing it with medicine. How do I know when to consult my doctor, in case of an emergency?

1. You must know when you should immediately call your doctor. When you notice that you are experiencing new symptoms then you should get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible. The following are a list of symptoms that indicate heart failure and you should call your doctor immediately.

• You suddenly gain five pounds or more in a single well, or two pounds or more in a single day.
• You find it difficult to breathe even when you are resting.
• You experience chest pain.
• You have an irregular heartbeat.
• You don’t urinate like you normally do.
• You notice your abdomen, feet, ankles or legs are swollen.
• Your heart rate is rising to new levels.
• You feel bloated all the time.
• You feel very confused all of a sudden.
• You feel more tired than usual.
• You lose your appetite.
• You are out of breath more often.
• You have a tough time doing daily activity.
• You notice a change in your sleep pattern; you may feel sleepier or have a difficult time sleeping.

1. Whenever you experience something that doesn’t seem right, then it is best if you contact your doctor immediately. For this reason, you should always keep emergency contact numbers safely with you at all times, so you can easily access them whenever required.

Q.   What if a heart transplant is not possible? Is there an alternative?

1. Some people are not good candidates for receiving a heart transplant. In such cases, doctors recommend ventricular assist device or VAD. These help pump blood and are implanted in your chest. They help to pump blood from your ventricles to your body. VADs can be used for short-term in some people or long-term in others. For instance, people awaiting heart transplant can have a VAD implanted until a donor heart is available.

1. People who can’t have heart transplant can have a VAD implanted for the long term, as well.However, VAD isn’t for everyone. If your doctor notices that it is not helpful then an artificial heart is another option that your doctor can recommend.

Q.   I have just found out I need a heart transplant. I feel overwhelmed. What should I do?

1. It is normal for you to feel overwhelmed with the news of requiring a heart transplant because things might not be the same after transplant. Instead of worrying about the heart transplant, it is recommended that you read as much as you can about heart transplant, so that you can have realistic expectations from the procedure. You can join a support group so you can gather information about people who have gone through the heart transplantation surgery.

Q.   Is there a chance of the new heart failing?

1. Yes, there is. Not all heart transplants are successful and for some people, the new healthy heart might fail even after successful transplantation. Your body may reject the new heart completely even with the help of immunosuppressants or you might develop diseases such as coronary artery disease which can lead to heart failure. Your doctor will tell you about the best course of action, in each case.

Q.   Why choose Narayana Health for heart transplant procedure?

1. If you are looking for one of the best heart transplant hospitals in India then Narayana Health is one of them. It is one of India’s leading heart transplant hospital which has top heart surgeons in India. It has an active transplant program available for patients and provides artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices for patients who are not eligible for a heart transplant as well. Narayana Health thoroughly evaluates you so you are always given the best treatment possible according to your case.

1. Doctors at Narayana Health work with you so you understand the entire procedure and why you are being given the particular treatment for your heart condition. You will be guided by the doctors and they will leave no stone unturned to ensure that you are aware of what to expect before the procedure, during the procedure, and after the procedure. This helps you understand the entire treatment without feeling stressed at any point.

Q.   How long can you live with a new heart?

1. After a heart transplant, your life expectancy depends on many factors like general health, your age, commitment towards a lifestyle change and response to the transplant. 75% of heart transplant patients live up to 10 years after surgery and 85% of then return to their normal work life. Many patients also enjoy light physical activities like running, cycling, swimming, etc.

Q.   What is the survival rate for heart transplant patients?

1. With improvement in treatments suppressing the immune system and preventing all kinds of infection, the survival rate among heart transplant patients has increased. Approximately 85-90% of heart transplant patients live up to one year after their surgery. The annual death rate after one year is 4%. The one-year survival rate in people with congenital heart disease is 79%.

Q.   Do you die during a heart transplant?

1. All kinds of surgeries have a risk of death, but in a heart transplant, the risk is higher than typical, especially when the donor's body does not accept the transplanted heart and does not tolerate it and functions well. Overall, a heart transplant surgery is a very high-risk procedure because the heart is not only stopped but is removed, replaced and sets up in another body to function.

Q.   What is the cut off age for heart transplant?

1. The maximum age limit for heart transplant varies with each institution, but 65 is the cutoff age to have this kind of transplant.

Q.   How long do heart transplants take?

1. Heart transplant surgery procedure takes approximately four hours. During the procedure, the patient is aided by a heart-lung machine for blood circulation throughout the body.

Q.   How painful is a heart transplant?

1. Most patients do not report a lot of pain after heart transplant surgery. The patient will be constantly monitored, given pain medication, and outfitted with drainage tubes to remove excess fluid from the chest cavity. Whereas the incision might cause pain or discomfort while coughing or sudden jerky movements.

Q.   Can a living person donate a heart?

1. Organ donors are usually deceased, but some organs can be donated by living donors. Deceased organ donors can donate both kidneys, liver, both the lungs, heart, pancreas, and intestines. Whereas living organ donors can donate only one kidney, one lung, a portion of the liver, pancreas, or intestine.