Heart Transplants: A Lifeline for Severe Heart Disease
Heart transplants, a lifesaving procedure for severe heart disease and failure, offer hope to many. Yet, the process is complex and demanding, with limited donor hearts available. Here's an overview of the procedure, candidacy, and outcomes.
Heart transplants are considered when medication, lifestyle changes, and less invasive procedures have failed. Age, overall health, and attitude also play a role in determining candidacy. The surgery, lasting about four hours, involves removing the recipient's heart and stitching in the donor heart.
Recovery takes up to six months, requiring frequent follow-ups and tests. Post-surgery, patients are monitored for infection and given antirejection medications. Pregnancy is possible but high-risk after a transplant. Survival rates vary, with an 88% one-year survival rate and 75% five-year rate in the U.S. Around 2,000 donor hearts become available annually, yet about 3,000 people are on the waiting list at any given time.
Heart transplants, though challenging and limited by donor availability, offer a lifeline to many with severe heart conditions. Understanding the process, risks, and outcomes is crucial for potential candidates and their families.
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