After living with a supportive heart for four years, Gertie is celebrating the fact that she received a donor heart 10 years ago. “I qualified at a very young age because my situation was life-threatening.”
When Gertie was just 17 years old she started her studies, an exciting and busy period, but she soon noticed that something was wrong. “I was very tired, quickly out of breath and short of breath,” Gertie remembers. At first, Gertie thought it was stress or overtiredness from the busy time, but when she also started fainting, her mother insisted she see a doctor. Her mother knew the symptoms of heart failure; a premonition that soon became reality. “Within three weeks of visiting the GP and being quickly referred to a cardiologist, I was diagnosed with heart failure.”
Heart failure at a young age
Gertie was remarkably young for this diagnosis, which led to a rapid and intensive research process with a clinical geneticist. “A mutated gene was found that indicated a hereditary predisposition to heart failure, although no one else in my family had the same condition,” she explains. “So we are still puzzled about that.”
Gertie became ill very quickly in a very short time, too ill to wait for a heart transplant. This is why she received a supportive heart to bridge the gap. “Despite the limitations that this cardiac support entailed, I could continue to do almost everything: study, work, go out and spend time with friends and family. However, I was not allowed to go on holiday, because I could be called for a transplant at any moment, and then I had to be at the UMC Utrecht as quickly as possible.” Thanks to this supportive heart, Gertie was ultimately able to wait 4 years for a heart transplant.
Tenth year with a donor heart
This year Gertie celebrates her tenth year with a donor heart. The transplant was the only option at the time. “The new heart not only meant a continuation of life for me, but it also gave me many wise lessons and experience,” Gertie shares. “I got to know myself better and it certainly made me who I am today.”
The donor heart was literally the option between life and death. “I’m very grateful for the second chance I was given,” she says. Today, Gertie feels well and is almost as active as someone without her medical history, although she must remain on lifelong medication. “I take this for granted, but it does mean I have lower resistance, which makes me more susceptible to illness and I have to be more careful during the flu season and with certain types of food.”
Prospects with a donor heart
Gertie looks forward to a future full of health and happiness, in which she hopes to make many wonderful memories. She hopes to inspire others and raise awareness for heart failure by sharing her story. “Heart failure can happen to anyone, regardless of age,” she emphasizes, adding: “So take good care of yourself and be kind to yourself.”
The UMC Utrecht, Erasmus MC and UMC Groningen perform heart transplants. In 2023, 74 heart transplants have been performed. This is an increase of 45 percent compared to 2022 (51 transplants). This large increase is thanks to the new ‘heart-in-a-box method’, which ensures that hearts can also be used for donation after death due to circulatory arrest (DCD).
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