Heart Transplant

In 2008, 127 heart transplant operations were carried out, of which 28 were undertaken on young people under the age of 16.

So who might need a heart transplant?

Most heart transplants are carried out on people who have severe heart failure.

Heart failure is when the heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood around the body.

Some causes of heart failure include cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) or a previous heart attack.

In a small number of cases, transplants are carried out on people who have heart valve problems or congenital heart disease.

However, not everyone who has these conditions is suitable for a transplant. And the number of transplants is still limited by the lack of available donors.

For more information see our booklet on Heart Transplantation.

You may also find these other organisations helpful:

Transplant Support Network (TSN)
6 Kings Meadow Drive
Weatherby
LS22 7FS
Phone: 01937 585434
Freephone support line: 0800 027 4490/1
email: tsnetwork@tiscali.co.uk
website: www.transplantsupportnetwork.org.uk
A nationwide network of volunteer transplant patients and their carers, who provide support
and information for others coping with transplants.

UK Transplant
Communications Directorate
Fox Den Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8RR
Phone: 0117 975 7575
website: www.uktransplant.org.uk
A special health authority within the NHS which provides support to transplantation
services across the UK and makes sure that donated organs are matched and
used in a fair way. It also provides information and statistics on transplants.

NHS Organ Donation Register
Phone: 0845 60 60 400
website:www.uktransplant.org.uk
A register for anyone who wants to donate their heart or other organs.

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