How long is the wait for a heart?


This page provides general guidance on average waiting times, but every patient is different. Your waiting time may be much shorter or longer

Key points

  • The average wait for a deceased donor heart transplant in the UK depends how unwell you are, and whether you’re on the Urgent or Super-Urgent list
  • Patients on the Super-Urgent list have the shortest wait but are critically ill
  • It also depends on your Blood Group and height and weight
  • If you have antibodies that may react with the donor heart, your wait is likely to be prolonged
  • Your transplant team will try to predict how long you might wait for a heart

What is the average wait for a heart transplant?

For patients who are initially placed on the Routine list, the average wait for a deceased donor heart transplant in the UK is 18-24 months.

This includes those patients who deteriorated and were transferred to the Urgent list.

Some patients wait much longer than average, some wait a shorter time. Patients on the Super-Urgent list have the shortest wait but are critically ill.

Find out about going on the transplant waiting list

More information



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