---
title: Physical and Emotional Impact of a Heart Transplant
date: 2021-10-01T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/physical-and-emotional-impact-of-a-heart-transplant"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Physical and Emotional Impact of a Heart Transplant

Undergoing a heart transplant comes with lots of expected physical healing and recovery, but recovery can also be emotionally and mentally challenging.

> Heart transplant surgery is not simply a question of replacing a diseased organ with a healthy one. It is more than that as reports in the literature of heart transplants recipients confirm experiencing changes in their own personality which dovetail with those of their donor.

[Read the full article ](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/explorations-the-mind/202110/heart-transplants-personality-transplants)

SOURCE: Psychology Today • AUTHOR: Thomas R. Verny • LAST UPDATED: October 1, 2021

![Hand heart attack background beat cardiac 1575611 pxhere com scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) 

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ understanding heart conditions](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/understanding-heart-conditions)
- [anatomy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/anatomy)

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MB shares a few pros and cons of her experience with sex education in high school.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-wanting-more-in-the-sex-ed-curriculum)

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In this video, a neurosurgeon and a transplant survivor discuss the possibility that memories could be stored outside the brain.

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In this video, a neurosurgeon and a transplant survivor discuss the possibility that memories could be stored outside the brain.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/cellular-memory-can-a-heart-transplant-affect-our-personality)

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Jenelle shares her story of living with an STI and how she went from devastated and embarrassed to empowered.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-what-its-really-like-living-with-a-sexually-transmitted-infection)

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Performing CPR is easier than you think, and no longer requires mouth-to-mouth ‘rescue breaths.’](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/hands-only-cpr)

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## Heart Anatomy and Function

A high-level overview of cardiac anatomy, geared toward patients and with information about ways to improve heart health.

![Adobe Stock 87712066](data:image/png;base64,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)

A high-level overview of cardiac anatomy, geared toward patients and with information about ways to improve heart health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/heart-anatomy-and-function)

[ResourcesListen

## Radiolab Podcast Presents: Gonads

A podcast series about genetics, chromosomes, gender, genitalia, and “the parts of us that let us make more of us.”

![mitosis-g3126702a3_1920](data:image/png;base64,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)

A podcast series about genetics, chromosomes, gender, genitalia, and “the parts of us that let us make more of us.”](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/radiolab-podcast-presents-gonads)

[ResourcesRead

## The Menstrual Cycle

What is the menstrual cycle? What happens in our bodies and how do the different stages of menstruation feel?

![A drawing of a person riding a surfboard, the background is red and the wave is light pink, like they are "riding the crimson wave”.](data:image/png;base64,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)

What is the menstrual cycle? What happens in our bodies and how do the different stages of menstruation feel?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-menstrual-cycle)