What are common signs of heart transplant rejection?

Fever and fatigue are indeed common signs of heart transplant rejection. After a heart transplant, the immune system may recognize the new heart as foreign tissue and respond by mounting an attack against it. This response can manifest as fever, which is a common indicator of inflammation or infection, and fatigue, resulting from the body's energy being diverted to deal with the rejection process. Patients may also experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling, or changes in heart rate or blood pressure, but fever and fatigue are particularly notable because they signal the body's reaction to the transplant.

In contrast, increased appetite and energy, regular sleep patterns, and stable exercise tolerance are less indicative of rejection. In fact, an increased appetite and energy levels might suggest a positive recovery process rather than rejection. Regular sleep patterns could indicate stability, and stable exercise tolerance would suggest adequate cardiac function and recovery. These signs would be contrary to the symptoms typically observed during an episode of rejection, where the body is under stress and may not function optimally.