Patient guide

Heart Transplant Evaluation: A Guide for Patients and Families

A compassionate overview of the transplant evaluation journey and how families can prepare.

What is a heart transplant?

A heart transplant replaces a severely damaged heart with a suitable donor heart. It is considered only after specialist assessment and when the expected benefit outweighs the risks of surgery and lifelong follow-up.

How evaluation works

The transplant team reviews heart function, lungs, kidneys, liver, infection history, nutrition, mobility, medicines, emotional support and the practical ability to attend follow-up. Testing is thorough because the safest plan must fit the whole person.

What families should organise

• Keep a single folder with reports, scans, prescriptions and vaccination records.
• Identify a family coordinator for calls, travel, medicines and appointments.
• Discuss work, travel, accommodation near the hospital and financial planning early.

After transplant

Transplant recipients need lifelong anti-rejection medicines, blood tests, infection precautions and regular reviews. The team explains diet, activity, vaccination, warning signs and how to contact the hospital.

FAQs

Does evaluation mean a transplant is guaranteed?

No. Evaluation determines whether transplant is appropriate and what pathway is safest. Donor availability and medical suitability also matter.

Can relatives donate a heart?

Heart donation follows deceased-donor allocation systems and medical compatibility rules; it is not a living-donor procedure.

Request a transplant evaluation discussion