*Purpose: After heart transplantation (HTx), we mandate that each patient have social support in the first several weeks. It is not known whether these support personnel truly follow through with their support and who they represent. We performed an anonymous survey to assess support personnel post-transplant.

*Methods: 176 heart transplant patients took an anonymous survey via tablet and answered questions regarding social support after heart transplantation. Patients were at various timepoints post-transplant.

*Results: Approximately 90% of patients felt they had someone to help them if they were not able to perform activities post-transplant. The spouse was identified as the primary source of support 63% of the time, with other family members making up <10% each. 92% of the support personnel were unpaid. 46% of caregivers helped the patients for less than 20 hrs/week in the first-year post-transplant. 47% of these caregivers worked full-time in another job. At the end of the day, 70% of HTx patients were completely supplied with care via family and friends.

*Conclusions: Caregivers after HTx are extremely helpful, unpaid, and frequently have a full-time position in another job.

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