Empty cardboard box for 28 'Xarelto', 15 mg tablets, rivaroxaban, used to prevent and treat blood clots, taken by a person who has a heart transplant as part of their monthly medication four years post operation, manufactured by Bayer, Germany, 2017

After receiving a heart transplant, recipients require life long medication. Each person has different medication needs at different points of their post-operation journey and need to be taken exactly as prescribed to remain healthy and to prevent their body rejecting a donor heart.

Known as a novel anti-coagulant (NOCA), rivaroxaban is used to thin a person's blood, preventing blood clots. Blood clots in deep leg veins are known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and if they travel to the heart, they can block blood vessels in the lungs and need immediate treatment. Heart transplant recipients are carefully monitored after their operation and have regular check-ups to ensure how well their heart is working. Cardiac rehabilitation including exercise, advice, and support are also available.