Verified By August 14, 2020
A human heart transplant was first performed in the year 1967 and today is regarded as a life-saving procedure. A heart transplant surgery involves the removal of the diseased heart of the patient, which is replaced with the heart of a healthy donor. In this procedure, the donor is either deceased or has been declared brain-dead by the doctors, and their family agrees for organ donation.
Can a Person Lead a Normal Life After a Heart Transplant?
After a heart transplant, you will be required to follow a healthy heart lifestyle. After the procedure, the patient is examined as an out-patient and must undergo scheduled tests to check the progress of recovery and to help prevent the body from rejecting the heart transplant. Moreover, you must also undergo a few evaluation tests for checking the health of the heart.
To lead a normal life after heart transplant surgery, there are some precautions you will need to keep in mind:
After the transplant, the doctor will prescribe medicines which also include medicines that prevent rejection of the new heart. So, the medicines must be taken at scheduled times and that too without fail.
You must visit your doctor regularly according to the decided schedule. In case you face any problem or if there is an onset of signs of rejection, the doctor should be visited immediately.
Your diet should include whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruits. A low-sodium, as well as low-sugar diet, is usually advised to help prevent any further issues. Your doctor will be able to provide particular guidelines regarding the diet to be followed.
For keeping your heart healthy and to prevent any unnecessary weight gain, regular exercises are recommended. It is important to consult with your doctor regarding which exercises would be suitable.
The Effect of a Heart Transplant on Your Exercise Regime
Exercises can help in training the new heart. However, there are some restrictions that need to be kept in mind. It is crucial to continue the exercise program as directed by the physical therapist after the heart transplant. The transplanted heart may take some time to respond to exercise. When your healing period is over and when your doctor approves, you can begin exercising regularly after checking with them.
Precautions for Exercising After a Heart Transplant
After a heart transplant, exercising and staying active are the path to leading a healthy life. However, it is crucial to consult your doctor before beginning a fitness regime. They will let you know the do’s and don’ts you need to follow.
Some of the basic precautions to be kept in mind are:
Initially, walking, with small periods of rest in between, is recommended, rather than slow jogging. In your cardiac rehabilitation program, your physical therapist will customize an exercise program as per your heart condition, health, and age. This exercise program will be followed on an out-patient basis.
Benefits of Exercise After a Heart Transplant
Exercise post a heart transplant begins before even before the patient is discharged. The patient gets a second life thanks to their heart transplant and exercise helps improves the quality of this second life. Some of the benefits of exercising after a heart transplant include:
Getting Started
Deciding an exercise regime would require a bit of work. Here’s how you can get started:
Important Things to Remember
Exercise should be a part of your daily life after transplant surgery. You can partake in the out-patient cardiac rehabilitation program or you can begin your own fitness program after you have consulted with your physical therapist and cardiologist. To lead a healthy lifestyle and to stay active in day-to-day life, exercise is very important. After a heart transplant, exercising can help improve your mental and physical health.
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