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Heart transplantation is usually the first treatment the doctor recommends that his patients, but in some cases to replace damaged or diseased organs in a healthy donor heart can save the life of the solution. In cases where the patient’s heart has been damaged in one of the following, can be a viable option:

- Coronary Artery Disease

- Heart Disease

- Heart failure

- More heart attacks

Before heart transplantation as a treatment option, doctors make sure that other forms of treatment such as medications or less invasive surgery is considered first.

Heart transplants in figures

According to the American Heart Association, 2163 were carried out heart transplants in the United States in cases 2008cardiovascular graphics.

In 2007, the figures for heart transplants in the United States was slightly higher, with 2210 patients who received a new heart this year.

Most heart transplant patients are male (72.4 percent). About two thirds of recipients of heart from a donor are white and 54.2 percent are aged 50 or over.

Heart transplants are not just for middle-aged men, however: 19.4 percent of heart transplant patients are between the ages of 35-49.

Heart transplant survival rates for patients

Having a heart transplant does not extend the life of a patient. The survival rate at 12 months the brand is 88 percent for men and 77.2 percent for women. A mark of five years, the survival rate for males 73.1 percent for men and 67.4 percent for women.

More heart transplants in September may not be due to a shortage of donor organs healthy. If more people made a choice for their consent to be an organ donor card and discuss their hopes and their families, thousands of lives could be saved each year.

Adapted from www.heartmart.com