Continuous monitoring will follow the surgery. During this critical time, the cardiac surgeon, cardiologist and other members of the hospital staff will watch closely for any signs of heart rejection or infection. These are the two leading causes of death immediately after a heart transplant. Medications that suppress the body's natural immune system will be administered to counter the body's tendency to reject the new heart. These medications have dramatically reduced the number of rejections.

Patients are unlikely to be very active in the next couple of days, but should be able to walk around in just three or four days. The total length of a hospital stay after a heart transplant is about 10 days to two weeks. Once patients are discharged from the hospital, the cardiologist and primary physician will provide regular medical support, including biopsies and other diagnostic tests several times a year.

The new heart will beat significantly faster than the original heart and will not respond as promptly to increased physical stress (e.g., when exercising). This is because the new heart lacks the nerve connections that help a normal heart respond to changes in activity.

There are many unexpected adjustments that may face heart transplant patients. Depression is not uncommon during this time, and the support of families and friends is very important. Most transplant centers have social workers and/or psychiatrists who can provide some assistance for heart transplant patients and their families.