If your heart is failing, getting a heart transplant is your best option. This is especially true if you have been treated with your condition for many years and you are not getting better. You can talk to your cardiologist about this type of transplant to learn much more about it. Until then, you should learn of the things that will prevent you from getting on a heart transplant waiting list, two of which are listed below.
Smoking
If you are a smoker you know how bad this is for your heart. Because of this, you will not be awarded a heart if you do not quit. This is because the heart would go to someone that did not smoke and was healthier as the heart would last much longer.
You have to be smoke-free for at least 6 months before you can be offered a heart. The longer you have been smoke-free does increase your chances, however.
If you are having a hard time staying off cigarettes there are many things on the market that can help you. One of these things is a nicotine patch which you start out at a certain milligram of nicotine and go down to the lowest milligram over a few weeks. The patch delivers nicotine in your body enough so that you will not have cravings or have greatly reduced nicotine cravings.
Your cardiologist can prescribe medication to you to help you with your withdrawal symptoms if you do not like the idea of wearing a patch.
Drinking
It is okay to have an occasional drink, but if you drink a lot of alcohol, such as you are an alcoholic, you will not be able to get on the transplant waiting list. Not only does drinking hurt your heart but it also damages your liver. If you have other organ problems this would reduce your chances of your new heart staying healthy.
Talk with your doctor about this and they can help you get some help. For example, they can set you up with a drug counselor in your area. The doctor can also give you some names of support groups in your area.
You will likely have to be alcohol-free for a certain amount of time. Your cardiologist can give you this information.
For more information and advice on prepping for a heart transplant, contact a center such as Temecula Valley Cardiology.
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