Most people can eventually return to their normal activities after a heart transplant, although it may be a few months before you feel up to it.

You'll have regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress after a heart transplant.

These will be quite frequent at first, but may eventually only be necessary once every 3 to 6 months.

During these appointments, you'll have tests to check how well your heart and medicines are working, and to check for any complications of a heart transplant.

You'll need to take several medicines called immunosuppressants for the rest of your life after having a heart transplant.

Without these medicines, your body may recognise your new heart as foreign and attack it. This is known as rejection.

Immunosuppressants are powerful medicines that can have a range of significant side effects, such as an increased vulnerability to infection, weak bones (osteoporosis), kidney problems and diabetes.

While these side effects may be troublesome, you should never stop taking your immunosuppressants without medical advice. If you do, it could lead to your heart being rejected.

You'll usually receive support from a physiotherapist while you're still in hospital to help you get around and build up your strength.

You'll also be encouraged to take part in a cardiac rehabilitation programme after going home. This involves following a personalised exercise plan to help you regain your previous strength and mobility.

You can return to gentle exercise when you're feeling up to it. Avoid strenuous activities such as pushing, pulling or lifting anything heavy for at least 8 to 12 weeks.

Talk to your transplant team before taking part in contact sports and more extreme activities, such as rugby, boxing or martial arts.

You do not usually need to have a special diet after a heart transplant. A generally balanced diet can help with healing and ensure you stay as healthy as possible.

A healthy diet may also help reduce the risk of some of the side effects of immunosuppressants, including weight gain, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Immunosuppressants also make you more vulnerable to infections, including food poisoning.

Make sure you practise good food hygiene to reduce your risk of getting a tummy bug.

Smoking can be very harmful, so you'll usually have to stop smoking before you can be considered for a transplant.

Get more advice and information about stopping smoking

You can usually still drink alcohol after a heart transplant, but it should be in moderation. 

Speak to your GP or transplant team for advice about drinking alcohol.

Speak to your transplant team if you want to try for a baby after having a heart transplant.

They'll talk to you about the possible risks, any extra care you might need and any possible changes to your medicines.

You may be advised to wait until at least a year after your transplant operation before trying for a baby.

If you're not trying for a baby, speak to your transplant team about appropriate contraception, as some types of contraceptive pill can interfere with your immunosuppressant medicines.

Even if you're taking the pill, it's a good idea to ensure you or your partner use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, because you're at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You'll need to stop driving for at least a month after a heart transplant.

Ask your transplant team for advice about when it's safe to drive.

Many people can return to work after a heart transplant, but how long it takes depends on your job and how well you recover.

Most people can return to work within 4 to 6 months.

Children who have had a heart transplant may be able to return to school within 2 or 3 months.

You can travel after a heart transplant, but it's recommended to wait until the first year of frequent follow-up appointments has finished.

Speak to your transplant team for more advice on travelling.