Bert Janssen, diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at 17 and given six months to live, has set a Guinness World Record as the longest-surviving heart transplant patient. Janssen underwent transplant surgery in 1984 at Harefield Hospital in England, making him an early recipient in the Netherlands. The life-saving operation was performed by transplant pioneer Magdi Yacoub after a heart became available following a tragic car crash. Janssen’s achievement, living for 39 years and 100 days after the transplant, surpasses the previous record of 34 years and 359 days. He aims to be an example for others, showcasing the possibility of a long life post-transplant with a healthy lifestyle.
Janssen, now 57 and a keen glider pilot, expressed gratitude for the life-saving surgery and emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for transplant patients. His current cardiologist, Casper Eurlings, highlighted the average life expectancy for heart transplant patients as 16 years, making Janssen’s achievement extraordinary. Guinness World Records officially recognized his accomplishment, and Magdi Yacoub thanked Janssen for his dedication to global health. Janssen remains an inspiration and a testament to the advancements in transplant medicine.
