The quality of life for patients improves dramatically after a heart transplant and they are able to lead more active lifestyles. However, patients need to take medications such as immunosuppressants for life. The medications keep the body from rejecting the transplant. A patient’s survival depends on many factors, including age, general health and response to the transplant. Survival rate worldwide is reported to be 86% at one year after surgery, 73% after five years and 60% after 10 years.
The National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) set up the heart transplant programme in 1990. For more information, visit here.