Question 1

How painful is a heart transplant?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

Is there a chance of the new heart failing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is. Not all heart transplants are successful. For some people, the new healthy heart might fail even after a successful transplant. Your body may reject the new heart completely despite 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.

Question 3

Can a living person donate a heart?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

How long do heart transplants take?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Do you die during a heart transplant?

Accepted Answer

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, heart transplant surgery is a high-risk procedure because the heart is stopped, removed, replaced and set up in another body to function.

Question 6

What is the cut-off age for heart transplants?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

How long can you live with a new heart?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

What is the survival rate for heart transplant patients?

Accepted Answer

With improvements in treatments that suppress the immune system and prevent 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 death rate after one year is 4%. The one-year survival rate in people with congenital heart disease is 79%.

Question 9

Why choose Narayana Health for a heart transplant procedure?

Accepted Answer

Narayana Health is among the best heart transplant hospitals in India. It is a leading heart transplant hospital, with specialist heart surgeons in India. It has an active transplant program and provides artificial hearts. The program includes providing ventricular assist devices for those who are not eligible for a heart transplant. Narayana Health relies on sophisticated testing to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment based on your medical history, overall health, and current condition. Doctors at Narayana Health work with you to explain the entire procedure and why they have recommended a particular treatment for your heart condition. You will be guided by the doctors, who leave no stone unturned to ensure you are aware of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. This helps you understand the entire treatment without feeling stressed at any point.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

it is normal for you to feel overwhelmed with the news of requiring a heart transplant because things might not be the same after a 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 to gather information about people who have gone through a heart transplant surgery.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

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 enough to perform all the physical activities without any hassles. Therefore, you have to follow all the precautions and medicine courses that your physician prescribes to keep your transplanted heart healthy.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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. People who can't have heart transplants 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, an artificial heart is another option.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

You must know when to immediately call your doctor. When you experience any new symptoms, you must get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible. Here are some symptoms that indicate heart failure, requiring you to call your doctor immediately.

You suddenly gain five pounds or more in a single week 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 activities.
You notice a change in your sleep pattern; you may feel sleepier or have a difficult time sleeping.

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.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The survival rates among those who have undergone 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.

Question 15

Can I continue to exercise after a heart transplant?

Accepted Answer

Exercise is great for enhancing your overall health, and doctors recommend this parlcularly after a heart transplant. Regular exercise helps you reduce stress and control other conditions, so you can stay healthy, which helps you recover faster. 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.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Which is the best heart hospital in India for me?

Accepted Answer

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 make your heart treatment and surgery less complicated. The doctors will guide you in everything, from diet to precautions. They don't leave any stone unturned in your betterment. You can trust Narayana Health to make your heart transplant surgery more effective.

Heart Transplant: