2. A heart transplant is an
operation in which a failing,
diseased heart is replaced
with a healthier, donor
heart.
Definition
3. Who might
need a
heart
transplant?
A heart transplant may
be considered if you
have severe heart
failure, or more
rarely congenital heart
disease. Not everyone
who has these
conditions is suitable for
a transplant.
4. Where does a
donor heart come
from?
A new heart must come from
someone who has been
declared brain dead and whose
family consents to donate the
organs. It is an anonymous gift.
Brain death is a permanent
condition usually due to a head
injury from a car accident, gun
shot wound, or hemorrhage into
the brain (like a stroke)
5. Having a heart transplant operation
The surgeon will make a cut in
breastbone to get access to the
heart. It will be connected to a
heart-lung bypass machine which
makes the blood circulate around
the body.
The surgeon will then
work on transplanting
the new heart.
When this is finished, they will
start the heart beating
again. When the heart begins
to take over pumping and your
condition is stable, the heart-
lung machine will be turned off.
The surgeon will then
close patient s
breastbone with
wire, which will stay
there for the rest of your
life.
The operation usually
takes between four
and six hours. The
patient will be given a
general anesthetic.
6. Risks of the procedure
Infection
Bleeding during or after the
surgery
Blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or
lung problems
Breathing problems
Kidney failure
Coronary arteriopathy (similar to coronary artery
disease)
8. Cardiac Rehabilitation programs aim to reduce the risk of heart
attacks, to alleviate angina (chest pain), and to prevent the
progression of heart disease. These goals are achieved by
supervised exercise training, nutritional counseling,
stress management, aggressive management of risk factors, and
careful monitoring of heart health.
The patient will receive prescriptions for several medications
such as aspirin to help prevent blood clots from forming, and
a cholesterol-lowering medication (usually a statin) to lower
the LDL (bad) cholesterol. The patient will also need to make
certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating
healthier, and exercising regularly.
Psychological rehabilitation include talk therapy, stress
management, relaxation exercises, coping techniques, and, in
some cases, the use of antidepressant medications. Studies
show that heart patients who undergo either type of
psychological counseling have lower levels of depression
and anxiety and a better quality of life.
O
R
E
C
O
V
E
R
Y
9. You and your family were travelling, and you
had a car accident. All the members of your
family, including you, are okey.
Unfortunately, your sister has been declared
brain dead, if you had to decide whether to
donate your sister´s organs or not, what
would you do?
Would you be a heart donor ? Yes/No. Why?
10. Subject: English Language I
Students:
Rocca Evelyn
Sala Yohanna
Fernández Camila
Gerez Ana Belén
Year: 2013
