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heart attack; widow maker; cardiac arrest; heart network; one heart network; heart attack survivors; heart attack survivor; alternative heart failure treatments; lvad pump; bridge to heart transplant; ekg; icd; defibrillator; does it hurt when your defibrillator goes off; what is a heart ablation; what is advanced heart failure; life expectancy after heart attack; personal heart attack stories; first responder; what is cardiac arrest; is cardiac arrest and a heart attack the same; time is muscle; heart blockage; what is a widow maker; how long can I survive after a heart attack; Does it hurt when your ICD shocks you; heart failure in women; heart failure in men; symptoms of a heart attack; what are the symptoms of a heart attack; Living with Advanced Heart Failure; How Supplements Can Help With Cardiovascular Health; The Best and Worst Beverages for Cardiovascular Health; Understanding Defibrillators; What Medications Are Used to Treat Heart Failure; Sex and Relationships: The Impacts of Heart Failure; Anxiety; Depression; and Heart Failure; Mental Health and Heart Failure; Heart Transplant Evaluation Process; Dizziness Is a Symptom of a Heart Attack; Sweating as a Symptom of Heart Attack; Strategies to Prevent Heart Disease; Understanding the Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack; Cardiac Arrest; What Happens to Your Body Immediately After; Common Heart Attack Symptoms, Advanced Heart Failure Statistics, Advanced Heart Failure Management & Treatments, Invest in Your Health, HF Prevention, What is Ejection Fraction, Living With Advanced HF, Common HF Symptoms, Heart Failure Classifications, Become an Organ Donor, What is a Heart Transplant, Mental Quality of Life, Do I qualify for Transplant, Heart Attack Statistics in the United States, The Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and a Heart Attack, Advanced Heart Failure Statistics, FDA Approves PulseSelect Pulsed Field Ablation System, Advanced Heart Failure Management & Treatments

Heart Transplant Evaluation Process

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Qualifying for a Heart Transplant

To be considered for a heart transplant, patients must meet specific criteria to be added to the heart transplant waitlist. 

Who is Qualified for a Heart Transplant?

Typically, to qualify for a heart transplant, a patient must:

  • Be diagnosed with advanced heart failure
  • Be relatively healthy aside from their heart condition
  • Have no history of substance abuse
  • Meet certain BMI and age requirements

Factors Influencing Eligibility

Eligibility may be influenced by:

  • The patient’s ability to support a new heart
  • The support system from family or loved ones to assist in care

Age Considerations

Heart transplants can be performed at any age, from newborns to adults. For patients under 18, pediatric cardiology services are available. Additional factors are considered for patients over 70.

Heart Condition

Patients must be diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and undergo a heart evaluation. If approved, they are placed on the heart transplant waiting list until a donor heart becomes available. For those who do not qualify, options like artificial hearts or mechanical circulatory support devices (MCS) may be explored.

Overall Health

Candidates must be generally healthy aside from their heart condition and must refrain from drinking or smoking. Commitment to the transplant process, including evaluation, surgery, recovery, and lifelong care, is essential.

The Heart Transplant Evaluation Process

The evaluation process is thorough and can take between 2-3 days with an inpatient stay. It involves several steps:

Referral

The process begins with a referral from a heart failure specialist. Authorization from the insurance company is obtained for the evaluation, and the case is reviewed for any health concerns that may affect eligibility.

Education

Education is a key component. During the evaluation, patients learn about the transplant process and what to expect post-surgery. This includes understanding the risks and the care required after the transplant.

Medical Tests

Patients meet with a team including nurse practitioners, heart failure/transplant physicians, and transplant surgeons. Tests performed during the evaluation may include:

  • Blood type and antibody testing for organ match compatibility
  • Cancer screenings
  • DEXA scan for bone density
  • GFR testing for kidney function
  • Hemoglobin A1C testing for diabetes
  • Various imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans)
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Right heart cardiac catheterization
  • Vaccine titer checks

Meetings with Specialists

Patients also meet with:

  • A financial coordinator to discuss insurance and financial aspects
  • A nutritionist to evaluate diet and discuss nutrition’s role in heart health
  • A pharmacist to explain post-transplant medications
  • A social worker to assess social support systems and mental health history

Determining Eligibility

A multispecialty heart transplant team meets weekly to review cases and decide the next steps. Possible outcomes include:

  • Approval: The patient is added to the waiting list.
  • Denial: The patient is not eligible for a transplant.
  • Not eligible at this time: Additional testing or health concerns need to be addressed.

If You Are Not Eligible

If you do not qualify for a heart transplant, other options may include:

  • Continuing or starting new heart failure medications
  • Using a ventricular assist device
  • Seeking a second opinion at another transplant center
  • Receiving palliative care

Duration of the Evaluation Process

The initial tests are scheduled over two days, with the entire evaluation process taking 30 to 90 days. For critically ill patients in the hospital, the process is expedited and a decision is typically made within five to seven days. Regular communication with the transplant team is encouraged to manage anxiety during the evaluation and waiting period.

Conclusion

Heart transplant evaluation is a detailed and coordinated process, ensuring patients receive the best treatment options tailored to their individual needs.

*WARNING: Remember to always consult with your doctor before starting any nutrition or exercise program to ensure the program is right for you.


Dr. Sterling's recommendations for heart-healthy lifestyle

Dr. Angela M. Sterling, D.C. is a chiropractor in Blue Springs, Missouri. She has a passion for helping others that has led her down the path of Alternative Medicine into a career that allows her to provide patients with high quality health care. As a licensed Chiropractic Physician, she brings a holistic approach to medicine in order to find comfortable and effective solutions for everyone. Dr. Sterling is a Nationally Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic and Nationally Board Certified in Physiotherapy.

You can contact Dr. Angela Sterling by phone or text at (816) 425-0888 or via email at Angela.Sterling@chiroone.net.

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Qualifying for a Heart Transplant

To be considered for a heart transplant, patients must meet specific criteria to be added to the heart transplant waitlist. 

Who is Qualified for a Heart Transplant?

Typically, to qualify for a heart transplant, a patient must:

  • Be diagnosed with advanced heart failure
  • Be relatively healthy aside from their heart condition
  • Have no history of substance abuse
  • Meet certain BMI and age requirements

Factors Influencing Eligibility

Eligibility may be influenced by:

  • The patient’s ability to support a new heart
  • The support system from family or loved ones to assist in care

Age Considerations

Heart transplants can be performed at any age, from newborns to adults. For patients under 18, pediatric cardiology services are available. Additional factors are considered for patients over 70.

Heart Condition

Patients must be diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and undergo a heart evaluation. If approved, they are placed on the heart transplant waiting list until a donor heart becomes available. For those who do not qualify, options like artificial hearts or mechanical circulatory support devices (MCS) may be explored.

Overall Health

Candidates must be generally healthy aside from their heart condition and must refrain from drinking or smoking. Commitment to the transplant process, including evaluation, surgery, recovery, and lifelong care, is essential.

The Heart Transplant Evaluation Process

The evaluation process is thorough and can take between 2-3 days with an inpatient stay. It involves several steps:

Referral

The process begins with a referral from a heart failure specialist. Authorization from the insurance company is obtained for the evaluation, and the case is reviewed for any health concerns that may affect eligibility.

Education

Education is a key component. During the evaluation, patients learn about the transplant process and what to expect post-surgery. This includes understanding the risks and the care required after the transplant.

Medical Tests

Patients meet with a team including nurse practitioners, heart failure/transplant physicians, and transplant surgeons. Tests performed during the evaluation may include:

  • Blood type and antibody testing for organ match compatibility
  • Cancer screenings
  • DEXA scan for bone density
  • GFR testing for kidney function
  • Hemoglobin A1C testing for diabetes
  • Various imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans)
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Right heart cardiac catheterization
  • Vaccine titer checks

Meetings with Specialists

Patients also meet with:

  • A financial coordinator to discuss insurance and financial aspects
  • A nutritionist to evaluate diet and discuss nutrition’s role in heart health
  • A pharmacist to explain post-transplant medications
  • A social worker to assess social support systems and mental health history

Determining Eligibility

A multispecialty heart transplant team meets weekly to review cases and decide the next steps. Possible outcomes include:

  • Approval: The patient is added to the waiting list.
  • Denial: The patient is not eligible for a transplant.
  • Not eligible at this time: Additional testing or health concerns need to be addressed.

If You Are Not Eligible

If you do not qualify for a heart transplant, other options may include:

  • Continuing or starting new heart failure medications
  • Using a ventricular assist device
  • Seeking a second opinion at another transplant center
  • Receiving palliative care

Duration of the Evaluation Process

The initial tests are scheduled over two days, with the entire evaluation process taking 30 to 90 days. For critically ill patients in the hospital, the process is expedited and a decision is typically made within five to seven days. Regular communication with the transplant team is encouraged to manage anxiety during the evaluation and waiting period.

Conclusion

Heart transplant evaluation is a detailed and coordinated process, ensuring patients receive the best treatment options tailored to their individual needs.

*WARNING: Remember to always consult with your doctor before starting any nutrition or exercise program to ensure the program is right for you.


Dr. Sterling's recommendations for heart-healthy lifestyle

Dr. Angela M. Sterling, D.C. is a chiropractor in Blue Springs, Missouri. She has a passion for helping others that has led her down the path of Alternative Medicine into a career that allows her to provide patients with high quality health care. As a licensed Chiropractic Physician, she brings a holistic approach to medicine in order to find comfortable and effective solutions for everyone. Dr. Sterling is a Nationally Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic and Nationally Board Certified in Physiotherapy.

You can contact Dr. Angela Sterling by phone or text at (816) 425-0888 or via email at Angela.Sterling@chiroone.net.

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