Looking after yourself before a heart transplant

It’s important to be as fit as possible before your transplant. If you are able, gentle exercise can help boost your energy levels and will lower stress. Speak to your heart care team about the right exercise plan for you.

Waiting for a transplant is an emotional time, and depression and anxiety are common. Staying busy can help. But you or your loved ones may wish to speak to a support group. Your heart care team can put you in touch with local groups.

Get support

You will be given information on your diet and daily fluid allowance from your heart care team. It’s very important to follow this advice.

If you’re overweight or obese, you will be encouraged to lose weight. Being a healthier weight can help to lower your chances of having problems with your transplant surgery and recovery. You should lose weight by increasing the amount of exercise you do and taking extra care with your diet. Speak to your heart team for more advice on losing weight. If you are very overweight you will not be listed for a heart transplant till you have lost weight.

To give the transplant the best chance of success, you must give up smoking. Many transplant teams will not put patients on the transplant waiting list if they are smokers.

Go to NHS Stop Smoking Services

Many patients with heart disease need to avoid alcohol. Please check with your transplant team to see if moderate alcohol use is acceptable for you.

It’s important to take all your medicines as prescribed.

Please let your transplant team know if there is a change in your condition or if your heart failure medicines have been altered.

You cannot receive a heart transplant if you are pregnant. Please speak to your heart team if you need advice on contraception or fertility when waiting for a heart transplant.