He says he is proof that living a long time with a heart transplant is possible. In 1984, the Netherlands had yet to perform its first heart transplant, so cardiologist Albert Mattart referred the teenager to Harefield Hospital in England. Janssen underwent transplant surgery in June that year after a heart became available following a tragic car crash in which two young adults died. The average life expectancy for heart patients after a transplant is 16 years, according to Janssen’s current cardiologist, Casper Eurlings. Transplant patients “need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be active.

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Persons: Bert Janssen, ”, Albert Mattart, Janssen, Piroschka Van De Wouw, Magdi, “, “ I’ve, Casper Eurlings, Harold Sokyrka, ” Eurlings, Yacoub, ” Janssen Organizations: Reuters, Harefield Hospital, Guinness World Records, Guinness . Transplant Locations: Netherlands, England