The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body, responsible for pumping blood and providing oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. However, there are various conditions and diseases that can affect the heart, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects. In severe cases, a heart transplant may be necessary to save a patient’s life.
Platforms like Medditour help the patients requiring heart transplants by connecting them to right treatments at international destinations via facilitators with no waiting time.
In this article, we will explore the significance of heart transplant, how successful it is, and how patients can lead a fulfilling life after the procedure. Additionally, we will discuss the role of medical tourism in accessing heart transplant procedures.
Significance of Heart Transplant
A heart transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged or diseased heart with a healthy heart from a donor. The procedure is typically reserved for patients with end-stage heart failure, meaning that their heart is no longer able to function properly, and other treatment options have failed. The goal of a heart transplant is to improve the patient’s quality of life and increase their lifespan.
With the advent of heart transplant surgery, patients with severe heart disease have a chance for a new life. In this context, it would be apt to mention that Apollo Hospitals states that it has achieved the best outcomes in heart transplant with an 87% long term success rate.
How successful is heart transplant surgery?
Heart transplant surgery has come a long way since the first successful heart transplant was performed in 1967. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which maintains the national transplant waiting list in the United States, the one-year survival rate for heart transplant recipients is around 85%, and the five-year survival rate is around 70%.
In general, however, heart transplant surgery is considered to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure.
One of the articles from Yale Medicine mentions that Tariq Ahmad, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program, says that they’ve had people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s – and their oldest transplant patient last year was 73 years old, and one of their patients later completed a 100-mile bike ride up in Maine, and he’s doing incredibly well.
Life after heart transplant
One of the most common questions that patients have about heart transplant surgery is whether they will be able to lead a full life after the procedure. Yes, it is possible to lead the fullest life post surgery, but there are certain instructions to be followed.
After a heart transplant, patients will need to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their body from rejecting the new heart. Additionally, patients will need to undergo regular medical checkups and monitoring to ensure that their new heart is functioning properly.
However, many heart transplant recipients are able to return to their normal daily activities, including work, exercise, and travel.
Medical Tourism for Heart Transplant
Medical tourism would be one of the best options for patients seeking heart transplant surgery, as it can often be more affordable and accessible in some of the developing nations.
Countries like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, Turkey, etc. favor medical tourism for heart transplant surgery as they have state-of-art medical facilities, accommodation facilities, hospitality, renowned heart transplant surgeons, etc.
Platforms like Medditour also help the patients to combine their vacation after the surgery at the international destination, which might relieve them from the stress due to the surgery.
In conclusion, heart transplant surgery is a significant and life-saving procedure that has helped people around the world with end-stage heart disease to have a new life. Medical tourism would be a boon to patients seeking heart transplant surgery as it provides a way for the patients to receive timely care at affordable cost.