In brief
Dick Cheney, the former Vice President, died due to complications from pneumonia and heart disease, after battling heart conditions for decades. Cheney's journey included multiple heart attacks, surgeries, and a heart transplant that extended his life. His health struggles highlight the impact of heart disease, America's leading cause of death.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney battled heart disease for most of his adult life, a life extended thanks in part to a heart transplant in 2012. However, Cheney, who died on Monday due to complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular issues, faced his first heart attack at the surprisingly young age of 37 and endured four more throughout his life before being eligible for a transplant.Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., and Cheney's extensive history with health problems serves as a testament to the severity of such conditions alongside the varying treatment options. Over the years, Cheney underwent several procedures, including quadruple bypass surgery, various angioplasties, and the implantation of a pacemaker to manage his heartbeat. He also dealt with circulatory problems affecting his legs.After suffering his fifth heart attack in 2010 and acknowledging the onset of increasing congestive heart failure, Cheney received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which took over the work of his heart's main pumping chamber, powered by batteries he wore in a fanny pack.In March 2012, at 71, Cheney underwent a heart transplant. While typically, most heart transplant recipients are aged between 50 to 64, Cheney was among the 362 individuals over 65 who received new hearts that year. Despite the increase in heart transplants since Cheney's procedure—4,572 in 2022 compared to 2,378 in 2012—there remains a significant shortage of transplantable organs, with many adults suffering from advanced heart failure not even being placed on the transplant list.
