Heart Transplant Recovery | Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, New Jersey
Archived: 2026-04-23 16:40
Heart Transplant Recovery | Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, New Jersey
Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
Treatment & Care
Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Care
Programs and Specialties
Heart Transplantation and ...
Heart Transplant Recovery
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Heart Transplant Recovery
Heart transplant recovery usually requires a 7-14 day hospital stay followed
by regular follow-up appointments with heart transplant providers. The
first year after a heart transplant is the most important, as it is during
this critical time that the chances of heart transplant rejection are
at their highest.
Patients who complete a successful heart transplant recovery experience
a dramatic improvement in quality of life. As with all the steps in the
heart transplant process, the Newark Beth Israel heart transplant team
provides support throughout recovery.
Recovery time for a heart transplant
The recovery time for a heart transplant is different for every patient.
In general, patients can expect a 7-14 day hospital stay. Shortly after
their procedure, patients are taken to the Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant
Program cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) where they are monitored
for several days. While in the CTICU, patients can expect:
Around-the-clock skilled nursing care
Daily rounds by an entire medical team consisting of cardiac and internal
medicine physicians and surgeons
Immediately following surgery, patients can expect to remain on a breathing
tube, as well as several catheters and drainage tubes that are used to
assist with daily bodily functions for the first few days post-surgery
A liquid diet that quickly advances to solids as tolerated
Signs of heart rate rejection are carefully monitored during this time.
Blood samples are frequently taken to monitor the new heart, check for
heart rate rejection markers, and monitor overall health.
Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and respiratory therapists are
all important members of the Newark Beth Israel heart transplant team.
They play equally important roles in helping the patient regain strength
and function. While under their care:
Walking is started one to two days after surgery
Breathing exercises are performed
Positions in bed are changed
Pain and comfort levels are monitored and controlled
Heart rate is monitored
Infection risks are monitored and mitigated
Patients are usually transferred to a private room 2 to 3 days after their
procedure, although this time frame does vary with each patient. The Newark
Beth Israel Heart Transplant Program Team notes the importance that patients
learn how to take care of themselves and their new heart during this time.
Special attention should be focused on:
Medicine names and doses
Nutritional recommendations
Blood pressure and pulse
Mood and overall well-being
Signs of infection and rejection
Recovery time from a heart transplant may vary for each patient. Once the
Newark Beth Israel heart transplant team has cleared the patient, they
may return to the comfort of their own home.
Heart transplant recovery basics
Heart transplant recovery at home is equally as important as it is in the
hospital. Patients and their caregivers are encouraged to be as proactive
as possible in their recovery. Taking medicines properly, eating a heart-healthy
diet, monitoring blood pressure and pulse, monitoring mood and overall
well-being, and checking for signs of infection and rejection is very
important during this time.
The Beth Israel Heart Transplant Team notes that patients can expect outpatient
appointments twice a week for 2 weeks, once a week for 3 weeks, once a
month for 6 months, and once every 2 months, or more often if needed,
for the first-year post-transplant. During appointments, patients may
undergo the following to access heart function and check for signs of
rejection and infection:
Chest X-ray
Echocardiogram
Laboratory work
Heart biopsy
Patients also meet with their heart transplant coordinator, physicians,
and possibly dieticians and pharmacists. An annual exam is performed on
average once a year after the first year, or more often if deemed necessary.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
LVADs are a bridge to transplant for so many of our patients who are living with heart failure. Today, through this new procedure, we can significantly extend and enhance their life while they wait for transplant.
Grady
Read More
Tarik is doing well and he is excited to eat a meal outside of a hospital bed. He is also looking forward to returning to the gym and getting back to work.
Tarik
Read More
“I could not believe it when I received the call on a Sunday afternoon,” said Ian. “The nurses and doctors that took care of me before, during and post-surgery are unbelievable."
Ian
Read More
View All Heart Transplant Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
Mar 23, 2026
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health to Spotlight Expansive Cardiovascular Research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo
Jan 16, 2026
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Vascular Non-Invasive Laboratory Receives 30 Year Milestone Gold Recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Its Long-Term Commitment to Quality Vascular Testing
Aug 22, 2025
Keep Chronic Diseases in Check
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View Doctors
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark
,
NJ
07112
USA
(973) 926-7000
Get Directions
Hours
Open 24 hours
(973) 926-7205
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services
Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
Treatment & Care
Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Care
Programs and Specialties
Heart Transplantation and ...
Heart Transplant Recovery
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Heart Transplant Recovery
Heart transplant recovery usually requires a 7-14 day hospital stay followed
by regular follow-up appointments with heart transplant providers. The
first year after a heart transplant is the most important, as it is during
this critical time that the chances of heart transplant rejection are
at their highest.
Patients who complete a successful heart transplant recovery experience
a dramatic improvement in quality of life. As with all the steps in the
heart transplant process, the Newark Beth Israel heart transplant team
provides support throughout recovery.
Recovery time for a heart transplant
The recovery time for a heart transplant is different for every patient.
In general, patients can expect a 7-14 day hospital stay. Shortly after
their procedure, patients are taken to the Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant
Program cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) where they are monitored
for several days. While in the CTICU, patients can expect:
Around-the-clock skilled nursing care
Daily rounds by an entire medical team consisting of cardiac and internal
medicine physicians and surgeons
Immediately following surgery, patients can expect to remain on a breathing
tube, as well as several catheters and drainage tubes that are used to
assist with daily bodily functions for the first few days post-surgery
A liquid diet that quickly advances to solids as tolerated
Signs of heart rate rejection are carefully monitored during this time.
Blood samples are frequently taken to monitor the new heart, check for
heart rate rejection markers, and monitor overall health.
Physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and respiratory therapists are
all important members of the Newark Beth Israel heart transplant team.
They play equally important roles in helping the patient regain strength
and function. While under their care:
Walking is started one to two days after surgery
Breathing exercises are performed
Positions in bed are changed
Pain and comfort levels are monitored and controlled
Heart rate is monitored
Infection risks are monitored and mitigated
Patients are usually transferred to a private room 2 to 3 days after their
procedure, although this time frame does vary with each patient. The Newark
Beth Israel Heart Transplant Program Team notes the importance that patients
learn how to take care of themselves and their new heart during this time.
Special attention should be focused on:
Medicine names and doses
Nutritional recommendations
Blood pressure and pulse
Mood and overall well-being
Signs of infection and rejection
Recovery time from a heart transplant may vary for each patient. Once the
Newark Beth Israel heart transplant team has cleared the patient, they
may return to the comfort of their own home.
Heart transplant recovery basics
Heart transplant recovery at home is equally as important as it is in the
hospital. Patients and their caregivers are encouraged to be as proactive
as possible in their recovery. Taking medicines properly, eating a heart-healthy
diet, monitoring blood pressure and pulse, monitoring mood and overall
well-being, and checking for signs of infection and rejection is very
important during this time.
The Beth Israel Heart Transplant Team notes that patients can expect outpatient
appointments twice a week for 2 weeks, once a week for 3 weeks, once a
month for 6 months, and once every 2 months, or more often if needed,
for the first-year post-transplant. During appointments, patients may
undergo the following to access heart function and check for signs of
rejection and infection:
Chest X-ray
Echocardiogram
Laboratory work
Heart biopsy
Patients also meet with their heart transplant coordinator, physicians,
and possibly dieticians and pharmacists. An annual exam is performed on
average once a year after the first year, or more often if deemed necessary.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
LVADs are a bridge to transplant for so many of our patients who are living with heart failure. Today, through this new procedure, we can significantly extend and enhance their life while they wait for transplant.
Grady
Read More
Tarik is doing well and he is excited to eat a meal outside of a hospital bed. He is also looking forward to returning to the gym and getting back to work.
Tarik
Read More
“I could not believe it when I received the call on a Sunday afternoon,” said Ian. “The nurses and doctors that took care of me before, during and post-surgery are unbelievable."
Ian
Read More
View All Heart Transplant Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
Mar 23, 2026
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health to Spotlight Expansive Cardiovascular Research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo
Jan 16, 2026
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Vascular Non-Invasive Laboratory Receives 30 Year Milestone Gold Recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Its Long-Term Commitment to Quality Vascular Testing
Aug 22, 2025
Keep Chronic Diseases in Check
menu
View Doctors
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark
,
NJ
07112
USA
(973) 926-7000
Get Directions
Hours
Open 24 hours
(973) 926-7205
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services