There are many advantages and disadvantages of having an artificial heart. We all have to remember that every individual's body is different and what may not be ideal for one person may be perfect for another. Therefore although I will be listing the disadvantages of an artificial heart it is also important to remember that people who do use artificial hearts may be benefited and there is nothing wrong if a person wishes to use one if they need to.
Here are some of the disadvantages of having an artificial heart:
1. Risks
There are risks in having an artificial heart such as the wearing out of the electric motor which could be fatal in maintaining the heart.
2. Major surgery may still be needed
There may be cases when the artificial heart is not working properly that a patient may be in need of major surgery in order to repair it. Many people do not want to undergo major surgery and this could be a difficult situation when they are more at risk of needing major surgery if something were to go wrong.
3. Infections
Patients may be more exposed to possible infections through having an artificial heart. Although we are all susceptible to infections at various points of our lives it would be advised to ensure that you are taking care of yourself to prevent infections whilst having an artificial heart.
4. Blood thinning
There may be some people that may have to take drugs to thin the blood due to the artificial heart's motor.
5. Strokes
Some patients may be more susceptible to getting a stroke with a artificial heart but all patients would need to seek advise from a qualified doctor.
These are just some of the disadvantages of having an artificial heart. Please do consult with a professional medical practitioner or your local doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of having an artificial heart to make an informed decision.