Why I Need A Heart Transplant - 1858 Words

Heart Transplant Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to EmailShare to PrintMore AddThis Share optionsMore See related health topics and resources Back to Cardiovascular Tests and Procedures What is a heart transplant? A heart transplant is surgery to remove the diseased heart from a person and replace it with a healthy one from an organ donor. To remove the heart from the donor, two or more healthcare providers must declare the donor brain-dead. Before you can be put on a waiting list for a heart transplant, a healthcare provider makes the decision that this is the best treatment choice for your heart failure. A healthcare team also makes sure you are healthy enough to go through the transplant process. Why might I need a heart†¦show more content†¦What are the risks of a heart transplant? As with any surgery, complications may occur. Potential risks of a heart transplant may include: Infection Bleeding during or after the surgery Blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or lung problems Breathing problems Kidney failure Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV). This is a problem with the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart muscle itself. They become thick and hard. This can can cause serious heart muscle damage. Failure of the donor heart The new heart may be rejected by your body s immune system. Rejection is your body s normal reaction to a foreign object or tissue. When you get a new heart, your immune system reacts to what it sees as a foreign threat and attacks the new organ. To allow the transplanted organ to survive in a new body, you will need to take medicines. The medicines will trick the immune system into accepting the transplant and keep it from attacking it. You will need to take the medicines to prevent or treat rejection for the rest of your