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◎ Medicine & Health·2 min·Updated Mar 15, 2026

What is Heart Transplant?

Heart Transplant

Quick Answer

A heart transplant is a surgical procedure where a diseased or damaged heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. This operation is typically performed on patients with severe heart conditions that cannot be treated with other methods.

Overview

A heart transplant is a complex surgery aimed at saving the lives of people with end-stage heart disease. During the procedure, surgeons remove the patient's failing heart and replace it with a healthy heart from a donor. This operation is often a last resort when other treatments, such as medications or less invasive surgeries, have failed to improve the patient's condition. The process begins with finding a suitable donor heart, which must match the recipient's blood type and size. Once a match is found, the patient is prepared for surgery, which usually takes several hours. After the transplant, patients require close monitoring and long-term medication to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new heart, making it a significant commitment to recovery and health management. Heart transplants are crucial because they can significantly improve the quality of life and extend the lifespan of individuals with severe heart issues. For example, a person with cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle, may experience life-threatening symptoms. After receiving a heart transplant, many patients report feeling healthier and more active, allowing them to return to normal daily activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for a heart transplant, patients must have severe heart disease and be unable to benefit from other treatments. They also need to be in good overall health to withstand the surgery and follow-up care.
Recovery from a heart transplant can take several months. Patients typically stay in the hospital for about a week and then continue their recovery at home, requiring regular check-ups and medications.
Risks of a heart transplant include rejection of the new heart and complications from surgery, such as infection. Patients must take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection, which can also increase the risk of infections.