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The Daily Insight

How many heart transplants are performed each year in the world?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on May 03, 2026

Worldwide, about 3,500 heart transplants are performed annually. The vast majority of these are performed in the United States (2,000–2,300 annually).

What is the rejection rate for heart transplant?

Early mortality — Cardiac transplant recipients have an average of one to three episodes of rejection in the first year after transplantation. Between 50 and 80 percent of people experience at least one rejection episode.

What percent of the patients in 1980 survived a year after a heart transplant?

Survival of heart transplant recipients This has significantly improved as compared to the 76.9% 1-year survival and 62.7% 5-year survival in the 1980s.

How many transplants are performed each year?

The 36,527 organ transplants performed in the United States in 2018 set an annual record for the sixth straight year, according to preliminary data from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which serves as the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under federal contract.

What is the longest heart transplant survivor?

Meet Minnesota’s own Cheri Lemmer, the longest-surviving heart transplant recipient in the world.

Who is the longest heart transplant survivor?

Which organ is most in demand for transplant?

kidney
The kidney is the most commonly transplanted organ. More than 16,000 kidney transplantations were performed in the U.S. last year. The wait, though, can be long. In February 2011, nearly 90,000 people were on the national waiting list for a kidney.

How do doctors prevent a heart transplant rejection?

Taking immunosuppressants. These medications decrease the activity of your immune system to prevent it from attacking your donated heart.

  • Managing medications,therapies and a lifelong care plan. After a heart transplant,taking all your medications as your doctor instructs and following a lifelong care plan are vital.
  • Cardiac rehabilitation.
  • What are some symptoms after a heart transplant?

    With a heart transplant, your symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain may resolve. A heart transplant may improve your ability to function without tiring so easily. You may be able to begin doing activities you enjoy again.

    What are the reasons for a heart transplant?

    Heart Transplant. Most heart transplants are done on patients who have end-stage heart failure, a condition in which your heart is severely damaged or weakened, and on people who have failed other treatment options. End-stage heart failure may be caused by conditions such as coronary heart disease, viral infections, or hereditary conditions.

    What are the side effects of anti rejection drugs?

    Common side effects may include: infections, anemia, weakness; high blood sugar, low levels of phoshate, potassium, or magnesium; tremors or shaking, numbness or tingling; nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain; headache, general pain; sleep problems (insomnia); or swelling in your hands or feet.