An increase in deaths occurring at home and in the community after the Covid-19 pandemic has been cited as one of the causes.
Jackie Brander, head of operations for tissue donation at NHSBT, said: “Heart valves can be especially important for babies born with genetic heart defects. But the reality is we are just not getting enough donations to meet demand.
“Organ and tissue donation as a whole has fallen. Last year, for example there were 100 fewer organ donors.
“Also, since the pandemic, more people are dying at home or in the community, where heart valve donation is not possible.”
She added that they were investigating whether there might be other reasons also.
Organs are starved of oxygen
Dying at home or away from a hospital means the organs are starved of oxygen and not viable to be given to someone else, while tissue that could be transplanted, such as heart valves, also deteriorates.
Patients needing transplants include adults whose heart valves can begin to narrow or leak and children with genetic heart disorders.
Poppy Wilson, who had a heart valve replacement in June 2025 at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, said how grateful she was to her donor’s family.
The 21-year-old from Stockport, has just graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University after studying history.
Wilson was born with congenital heart disease and needed a valve replacement after her own aortic valve became leaky and narrow.
“It was a gradual deterioration. I was increasingly symptomatic and it became difficult to climb stairs,” she said.
“Without surgery, I would have gone into heart failure or suffered a cardiac arrest.
“Open heart surgery was a daunting and emotional experience but my surgeon and the medical team were phenomenal.”
She added: “A month after the operation I got to meet my beautiful baby nephew. I would not have been able to do that without the heart valve.
“I get so emotional thinking about the donor and the donor family. I can’t put into words how grateful I am. It’s overwhelming.
“I would encourage people to donate because my donor absolutely changed my life.”
Wilson does ballroom and Latin dancing and is aiming to dance at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in 2026.
Professor Attilio Lotto, a congenital cardiac surgeon from Liverpool, said: “Every donated heart valve represents not just a gift, but a second chance at life.
“While many people are familiar with the idea of donating organs such as kidneys, liver or lungs, fewer realise that donating heart valves and tissues after death can also transform lives. “
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