The longest-living person with a heart transplant was included in the Guinness Book of Records (4 photos)

Four decades ago, Bert Janssen was diagnosed with a fatal disease. Doctors reported that he would live no more than six months. However, a heart transplant changed everything.





“I want to be an example for people,” says the Dutch resident.

Bert was 17 years old when he was told he had cardiomyopathy, a condition that makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body.

According to him, he is proof that after a heart transplant you can live a long time.



In 1984, heart transplants were not yet performed in the Netherlands, so cardiologist Albert Muttart referred the teenager to Harefield Hospital in England.

In June of that year, Janssen underwent surgery. The donor was a young man who died in a car accident.

The transplant operation was performed by world-famous cardiac surgeon Magdi Yacoub.

“I consider this day more important than my birthday,” admits Janssen.





The man is now 57 years old, married, has two sons, and enjoys gliding.

Bert is fit and healthy, but his heart medications cause side effects and he has had to slow down in recent years.

"I'm still doing what I love, but at a different pace," he says.



According to Janssen's cardiologist, Kasper Erlings, the average life expectancy for heart transplant patients is 16 years.

The Guinness Book of Records officially recognized Janssen's achievement, who lived 39 years and 100 days after the transplant. The previous record was 34 years and 359 days, set by Canadian Harold Sokierka in 2021.

"Transplant patients need to lead a healthy lifestyle and be active. That's what Janssen did," Erlings concluded.