Heart Transplants vs Artificial Hearts
When all other treatments fail, doctors have two final options: heart transplants and artificial hearts. A heart transplant offers a permanent solution with significantly increased lifespan, but it comes with massive challenges including finding a suitable donor and lifelong immune-suppressing medications.
Artificial hearts provide immediate treatment without the risk of rejection, since your body won't attack the mechanical device. However, they're typically temporary solutions used whilst waiting for a real heart to become available.
Both options involve incredibly complex surgery with serious risks including infection, blood clots, and complications. The choice between them often depends on how urgently treatment is needed and whether a suitable donor heart is available.
Reality Check: These treatments represent medical miracles that were impossible just decades ago - science continues to save lives in amazing ways.