Does using meth, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and taking heavy doses of pain killers have a greater effect on a transplanted heart than one that isn't transplanted? What is the life expectancy of someone with a transplant that is abusing it?

Anon - If the person you're concerned about is engaging in the same behaviors that created the need for a heart transplant, they are in even greater danger of heart failure or heart problems than they were before due to the impact of the transplant. It's impossible to give an exact life expectancy for this person, but the behavior is clearly putting them at risk. Heart recipients are given standards to follow which reduce the risk of rejection of the donor heart and help restore their health. In general, about 81% of all people who receive heart transplants survive for at least 1 year. In terms of long-term survival, about 68% survive 5 years and about 50% survive 10 years, according to WebMD.

Is this a relative or close friend? Is there anything you can do to make them aware they are essentially killing themselves? You may want to get the support of experts from a group like the American Heart Association to assist you. Can you let us know what you plan to do?
Take care, Pat