Heart Transplant Longest Survivor: Heart is counted among the most important organs of our body. If there is any problem in the heart, then the entire body system gets disturbed. Many times the heart stops working and in such conditions heart transplant is required. Heart transplant is a very complex surgery, but India seems to be at the forefront in this matter in the world. Hundreds of heart transplants are done every year in the country and their success rate is also good. It is often believed that a person with a donor heart does not live long, but 51 year old Preeti Unhale from Madhya Pradesh has done a unique feat. Her heart transplant took place 25 years ago and she is still living her life.

According to TOI report Preeti Unhale has created history by completing 25 years with Donor Heart. Preeti has now become India’s longest surviving heart transplant survivor. He completed 25 years with a donor heart on 23 January 2026. Preeti, originally from Madhya Pradesh, had reached Delhi AIIMS in the year 2000 with the last hope of treatment. Doctors at many places had responded, but AIIMS did not give up their hopes. He was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. This is such a serious disease in which the heart muscles become weak and dilated, due to which the pumping ability decreases and ultimately heart failure occurs. Same thing happened with Preeti. Then his age was only 26 years.

At AIIMS, Preeti met the country’s renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. P Venugopal and cardiologist Dr. KK Talwar. For the first time a doctor told her that she would be fine. Preeti had reached AIIMS in a very critical condition and it had been only two and a half years since her marriage. At that time, there were almost no concrete clinical guidelines for heart transplant. After proper investigation and a long wait, finally in January 2001, a heart from a brain-dead teenage donor became available and the same heart became the basis of Preeti’s life. At that time the results of heart transplant were considered uncertain. The success rate was also low, but Preeti had no option. In such a situation, doctors performed a heart transplant.

After heart transplant, Preeti had to take immunosuppressant medicines daily and faced organ rejection several times. However, after proper treatment she recovered from all these problems. Today Preeti Unhale provides counseling to heart transplant patients across the country. They share the same information and trust that they once lacked. For him, this is not just a personal victory but a moral responsibility. His message is clear that if doctors advise transplant, then do not delay. Donors are rare. If you get a chance, say yes immediately. Live your whole life with discipline, because this is the second chance we have got.