Former Vice President Dick Cheney bravely faced heart disease throughout his adult life, finding a new lease on life thanks to a heart transplant in 2012.
Cheney, who passed away Monday at 81, struggled with complications from pneumonia and advanced cardiovascular disease. His battle with heart issues began at the young age of 37 with his first heart attack, leading to multiple additional attacks and a heart transplant later in life.
Cheney’s Journey with Heart Disease
Over the years, Cheney underwent various medical procedures including quadruple bypass surgery, angioplasties, and the implantation of a pacemaker. His health challenges were compounded by issues with blood flow in his legs.
Heart attacks significantly damage heart muscle, complicating its functionality. After a fifth heart attack in 2010, Cheney experienced increasing congestive heart failure and had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted to aid his heart's function.
A Historic Heart Transplant
In March 2012, Cheney underwent a heart transplant at the age of 71, an age above the typical range for transplant recipients, who are most often between 50 to 64 years old. In 2012, Cheney was among 362 patients aged 65 or older who received a heart transplant.
Demand for Heart Transplants
The need for transplantable hearts continues to grow, with many patients suffering from advanced heart failure not placed on waiting lists due to organ shortages. The U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (UNOS) reported 4,572 heart transplants last year, a gradual increase from 2,378 in 2012, reflecting a rise in recipients over the age of 65, which numbered 905 in the previous year.
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