what is average life expectancy of a heart transplant recipient?
446274
Of people who survive their first year after a heart transplant, the average life expectancy is 11.5 years. Over 90% of people who survive for 4 years after a heart transplant have no limitations on their activity, and 40% return to work. These statistics show a dramatic improvement over the high death rate common among people with class IV heart failure. These statistics also are the reason why heart transplants have grown in popularity as a treatment option for severe end-stage heart failure. The first year after a heart transplant is considered a critical time. The 1-year survival rate for transplant recipients during this period is 79%. This is a very high rate considering the complexity of the surgery and the risk of complications.
801783
As someone who, like your friend, developed heart failure in middle age (I was 49 at the time), I can tell you that his life expectancy is directly related to how well he takes care of himself.  And that, of course, is bad news for your friend.\n\nAs you realize, he is doing everything wrong.  The shortness of breath would be relieved if he lost weight, gave up the cigarettes and dropped the sodium.  I don't know what medications he was prescribed, but probably at least one of them would help him shed the fluid that may be getting into his lungs and making it harder for him to breathe.  \n\nIt's no wonder he is always fatigued.  How would anyone feel if they have reduced heart function and reduced lung capacity?\n\nAs to his other meds, there are wonderful drugs now that can lighten the load on his heart and make it easier for the heart--the part that's still funtioning--to do its job.  If he doesn't take them, he is overstressing the working portion of his heart as it tries to do the job of the entire organ.  It can't, at least not without help.\n\nThe nausea is a very worrisome symptom.  That one suggests angina, which sometimes comes out that way.  His poor heart, overworked as it is, may be sending out distress signals which are perceived as nausea.  \n\nDepending on how much alcohol his is consuming, daily drinking may or may not be a problem.  One or two drinks a day (NO MORE, and NO doubles) actually seems to benefit the heart.  But some people think that if one is okay, four must be great.  It's not.  The beneficial aspects of alcohol completely reverse if you have more than about 2 drinks (just one for a woman).\n\nOverall, this man needs to go back to his doctor and lay all his cards on the table.  Could he be depressed and "giving up"?  That is very common with heart patients.  He needs to tell his doctor *everything* he is doing and not doing, and why.\n\nI believe that patients have rights, and so does your friend.  But he also has children, which means he has a responsibility to be around for them until they are well established on their own.  If he lets himself die while they are still young, they will never fully forgive him.  What's worse, he will have missed out on seeing them grow up, which one of the best parts of life.\n\nGood luck!!
463715
theorically, I will live about 97 years, a normal good-excercised person on a normal country, will live about 89 years.\n<I will skip the scientific explanation.>\n\nthe answer should be: bones and organs decompose, it is totally imposible (at least now until 1000 years) that a person lives that much, heart and other muscular organs get old, and wasted, think about it.\n\n<altough I do this for free, 10 points as best answer wouldnt be bad>
997578
ummmm heart transplant takes roughly 15 hours. \n\nnaw look I know your hurting and that's pretty normal. 3 years is a long time to spend with someone for it to fall to floor. Not all guys are like that but sadly some are. \n\nIf your out of this relationship that's good because you deserve better. take some time and know that this was none of your fault then slowly pick up whats left of your broken heart and move on. but always keep in mind those things you have learned so not to follow your past. best of luck.
1063237
I have never heard of a person being able to have more than one heart transplant. You are certainly a blessed man. Here are a few links to stories about people who received two organ transplants. I hope you find these stories helpful. Please try to speak with the doctor handling your case as he would be the best person to give you a prognosis.\n\nGood luck...\n\nhttp://www.sbhcs.com/services/renal/newsletter/issue_7/gift.html\n\nhttp://www.transplantweek.org/members/vol2/news/013605.htm\n\nhttp://www.aetnapharmacy.com/AP/ihtAP/r.WSIHW000/st.9339/t.32966.html
497818
I recommend you get a medical clearance from the doctor. So many complications happen in transplant patients within the first year. You wouldnt want to be caught in it while abroad and away from your doctor and families. WHile abroad you are also susceptible to many infections you dont know you'll get because you are a transplant patient and are taking drugs which make you very susceptible to infections.\n\nA simple cold in a transplant patient can turn into a horrible lung disease without proper care.
219597
check out transplant.com
829174
Please visit the sites\nhttp://www.transplant.cc\nhttp://www.transplantation.cc
562996
There is no way to answer your question. What do you mean by "heart patient"\n\n1. ASD\n2. VSD\n3. TAPVR\n4. DORV\n5. TOF\n6. MS/MR\n7. AR\n8. pericarditis\n9. Cardiomyopathy\n10. tamounade s/p window\n11. afib\n12. CAD\n13. wandering pacemaker\n15. angina\n16. MI\nABOUT 50 more types of heart patient, but shouldn't you be asking your doctor?
393154
Not enough, in my opinion.\n\n"More than 1,000 Arizona residents are on transplant lists and just 41 thousand people are registered as organ donors."\n\nhttp://www.kpho.com/global/story.asp?s=3920853&ClientType=Printable\n\n"Each day about 63 people receive an organ transplant, but another 16 people on the waiting list die because not enough organs are available. Make a difference in a person's life."\n\nhttp://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Health_Facility_Regulation/Organ_Donors/\n\n"In the United States, the waiting list is quoted to be about 90,000 people long. It is not uncommon for those on the waiting list to die before receiving a suitable organ."\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donor\n\nBut, sorry, I could not find a source which would tell me a percentage of Americans who are donors.
988195
Yes, it depends on your medical /mental condition, your Dr. will decide that point.\nI had my first transplant in Dec.1995 it lasted for 10 years, I had a Pancreas transplant in Dec. 2000, and my third transplant, a kidney in Dec. 05. As long as you want this to happen, and your health is good it will happen.\nA piece of advice, DO NOT wait for UNOS to find you a donor, get out now and find a living donor, family, friends , if you go to church ask anyone and every one to be tested, you will be surprised who will say yes, and even more surprised who matches you..\nGood luck\nfeel free to e-mail me any questions you might have..
99044
A man who was having heart trouble went to the doctor to see what his options were. Naturally, the doctor recommended a heart transplant. The man reluctantly agreed, and asked if there were any hearts immediately available, considering that money was no object. \n"I do have three hearts," said the doctor. \n"The first is from an 18-year old kid, non-smoker, athletic, swimmer, with a great diet. He hit his head on the swimming pool and died. It's $100,000. The second is from a marathon runner, 25 years old, great condition, very strong. He got hit by a bus. It's $150,000. The third is from a heavy drinker, cigar smoker, steak lover. It's $500,000." \n"Hey, why is that heart so expensive? He lived a terrible life!" \n"Yes - but it's from a lawyer. It's never been used."
927377
It varies with different people.  You need to talk to his doctor and treatment team.  Make sure after this surgery he gets some physicial therapy even inpatient rehab that should get his functional level up.   There are different drugs and treatments out there that can help to manage and improve his condition.  I have seen people with CHF live  a long and productive life.  It's a matter of learning to manage.  Make sure to get himself attached to a heart failure center in a reputable teaching hospital.
311052
A great and difficult question.  One has to determine the greater good for use of limited resources, and unfortunately some will be disappointed.  I was on a organ transplant committee for several years, we would review the patient (age, overall medical condition,family state, social factors, ect) and make a decision as who would have the greatest likely hood of not only surviving the procedure, but thriving with this precious gift.  It is a very difficult process, and a real strain on those personnel required to make those decisions.
121784
Well, technically they can but usually only for about 6-8 minutes after death.  See, we define people as being dead when their heart stops beating, but for a few minutes if we can get their heart started again they'll be fine.  After about 8 minutes brain damage starts to occur, and I think somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes it becomes hopeless.  Those times will be a bit longer if the person is really cold though.
412032
Male is 77.64 years\nFemale 83.52 years\n\nAverage person breaths around 600,000,000 times in a lifetime \n(although this assumes 15 breaths/min and an average lifespan of 75 years)
1123531
With the average heart rate of 72 beats per minute the heart will pump about 5 litres per ventricle, or about 10 litres total per minute. This is called the cardiac output. In a trained athlete the total cardiac output is about 20 litres. If we multiply the normal, non-athlete output by the average age of 70 years, we see that the cardiac output of the average human heart over a life time would be about 1 million litres, or about 250,000 gallons(US)!