Charlotte Revitt, from Rowley Regis, was only 24 when she had a heart transplant, after years of uncertainty and weeks in hospital she can now lead a relatively normal life.

Charlotte’s problems began with chest pains at age 16, and following a visit to the GP Charlotte was immediately rushed into Sandwell hospital for urgent tests.

Charlotte said: “I wasn’t scared going into the hospital. I was having a laugh and a joke with the paramedics in the ambulance. It was strange because although I was ill on the inside, on the outside I felt fine.”

The young woman’s condition remained a mystery to medical professionals for three years, until, aged 19, Charlotte fell ill again leading to a referral to the specialist cardiac centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Charlotte underwent vigorous tests requiring a stay in hospital before receiving a diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a rare condition where the walls of the heart become stiff, restricting the movement of the heart and reducing its ability to pump blood around the body, this leaves the person with breathing difficulties, fatigue and chest pain.  

Five years later Charlotte’s heart condition became so severe that she had to stay in hospital until a suitable heart was found.

“It was a hard time because I wasn’t allowed to leave the ward, and I had no idea how long I was going to have to be in hospital for. The Charity funded Wi-Fi was amazing, I spent a lot of time watching films to take my mind off the waiting!”

On 20 December 2016 Charlotte received an early Christmas present like no other; a heart.

“Just before I went into surgery I turned and said to my mum ‘what’s it going to be like to breathe normally?’ Of course I was nervous about the operation but I also really excited to feel normal.”

The operation was a success and the long to road to recovery began, however, just seven days after the transplant Charlotte was rushed back into theatre with a build-up of fluid around the heart. Fortunately Charlotte, who lives with her mum, dad, brother and niece, quickly recovered and was able to return home after four weeks. 
Now Charlotte is urging people to donate to QEHB Charity’s Heart in a Box campaign.

“My heart transplant was life-changing, but I was lucky to have been able to get a new heart so quickly. The reality for some people is that they have to wait months or even years to have a transplant, your donation help the Charity to increase the number of hearts transplanted at QEHB by 50% offering timely treatment to people all over the UK.”

You can donate at qehbheart.org and find out more at qehb.org/heart

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