Not every patient with heart disease is eligible for a heart transplant. A multidisciplinary transplant team evaluates the patient’s overall health, medical condition, and ability to manage the post-transplant lifestyle.

📋 You may be eligible if:

• You have end-stage heart failure that hasn’t improved with medications or devices.
  
  
• Your heart function (EF%) is severely reduced and affects daily activities.
  
  
• You’re in good overall health apart from heart disease.
  
  
• You don’t have active infections, cancer, or irreversible liver/kidney/lung damage.
  
  
• You’re mentally and emotionally prepared to manage the long-term treatment.
  
  
• You have strong family support and are committed to lifelong follow-up.
  
  

Heart Transplant Procedure: Step-by-Step

Heart transplantation is a complex and life-saving surgery. Here’s how it works:

🧪 1. Pre-transplant Evaluation

• Blood tests, ECG, echocardiogram, CT scan, and cardiac catheterization
  
  
• Assessment by cardiologists, surgeons, psychologists, and transplant coordinators
  
  

🕒 2. Waitlist & Donor Matching

• Once approved, patient is placed on a transplant waiting list
  
  
• Donor matching is based on blood type, body size, and organ compatibility
  
  

🏥 3. Surgery (4–6 Hours)

• Diseased heart is removed and replaced with a healthy donor heart
  
  
• Patient is closely monitored in ICU for 1–2 weeks post-surgery
  
  

💊 4. Post-Op Recovery

• Close monitoring for organ rejection and infection
  
  
• Immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection
  
  
• Discharge in about 2–3 weeks, followed by regular check-ups
  

Life After Heart Transplant

🧬 Recovery Phase:

• 2–3 months of intensive follow-up visits and lab tests
  
  
• Continued medication for life (mainly anti-rejection drugs)
  
  
• Gradual return to daily activities after 3–6 months
  
  

💖 Long-Term Outlook:

• 80–90% success rate in India for heart transplants
  
  
• Many patients live a normal, active life for 10–20+ years
  
  
• Requires regular follow-ups, healthy lifestyle, and medication adherence
  
  

🔄 Lifestyle Changes Post-Transplant:

• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and infections
  
  
• Maintain a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise
  
  
• Manage stress and monitor blood pressure & cholesterol

Choose Mendsure Healthcare Services for a Hassle-Free Experience

We help you with:

• Pre-evaluation & medical second opinions
  
  
• Connecting with top heart transplant centers in India
  
  
• Cost transparency and budget-friendly packages
  
  
• Complete visa, travel & accommodation assistance
  
  
• Post-transplant care coordination

Risks and Complications of a Heart Transplant

While heart transplant is a life-saving procedure, like any major surgery, it carries certain risks. Most of these risks can be managed with proper post-operative care, medications, and regular follow-up.

🚨 1. Organ Rejection

• Most common complication. The body may recognize the new heart as foreign and try to attack it.
  
  
• Types of rejection:
  
  
  • Acute rejection: Usually occurs in the first year.
    
    
  • Chronic rejection: Gradual loss of heart function over time.
    
    
• Preventive care: Immunosuppressant medications are given lifelong to reduce this risk.
  
  

🦠 2. Infections

• Due to the lifelong use of immunosuppressants, patients are more prone to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
  
  
• Regular hygiene, vaccinations, and infection monitoring are critical.
  
  

💊 3. Side Effects of Immunosuppressants

• Long-term use can lead to:
  
  
  • High blood pressure
    
    
  • Diabetes
    
    
  • Kidney problems
    
    
  • Weight gain
    
    
  • Increased cancer risk (especially skin cancer)
    
    

❤️ 4. Surgical Complications

• Bleeding
  
  
• Blood clots
  
  
• Poor wound healing
  
  
• Complications related to anesthesia
  
  

🧠 5. Psychological and Emotional Impact

• Some patients may experience anxiety, depression, or emotional adjustment issues post-transplant.
  
  
• Counseling and family support play a crucial role in recovery.
  
  

⚠️ Early detection and proper follow-up significantly reduce these risks. With expert medical guidance, most patients go on to live healthy and productive lives.

Heart Transplant Success Rate in India

India has become a global leader in heart transplants due to advanced medical infrastructure and experienced cardiac surgeons.

✅ Key Success Facts:

• Survival Rate After 1 Year: 85–90%
  
  
• Survival Rate After 5 Years: 70–75%
  
  
• Survival Rate After 10 Years: 50–60%
  
  
• Quality of Life: Majority of patients return to normal work and active lifestyles within 6–12 months.
  
  

💡 Why India’s Success Rate Is High:

• Use of international protocols
  
  
• Highly trained transplant teams
  
  
• State-of-the-art ICU and post-op care
  
  
• Affordable long-term medication and monitoring
  
  

💙 With the right care and compliance, many patients in India live 10–20+ years post-transplant and enjoy a significantly improved quality of life.