Who gets an organ transplant?
Organ transplantation is the last resort for a person with a failing or diseased organ. In children, it is usually due to
a birth defect in the organ, such as the heart. In adults, it can be a result of a disease, such as cancer, or because
of accumulated damage to the organ over time due to other conditions, such as heart disease, high blood
pressure, or diabetes. Usually, other treatments are tried first, such as medications for the underlying disease, or
changes to diet and lifestyle. A lot depends on the organ that is failing, and for what reasons.
Organ transplantation is considered on an individual basis. For some patients, it is a life-saving option, while
other patients may be deemed poor candidates for a transplant. For example, heart transplantation is not always
considered beneficial for patients who are over 65, have poor blood circulation, are unwilling or unable to make the
necessary lifestyle changes to keep their donor heart healthy, or who have another medical condition considered
life-threatening despite the transplant.