Renowned cardiac surgeon, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, who performed the UK’s first heart-lung transplant at Harefield Hospital, has introduced a groundbreaking advancement in heart disease treatment: living heart valves.

These valves grow naturally within the body, potentially transforming the lives of many patients by reducing the need for repeat surgeries and minimizing the risk of rejection. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Dr. Yacoub said:
“Nature is the greatest technology. It is so superior to anything we can make. Once something is living—whether it’s a cell, tissue, or [the living valve]—it adapts on its own. Biology is like magic.”
This groundbreaking project has the potential to transform countless lives, particularly for children born with heart conditions and elderly individuals in need of heart valve replacements.

Discover more about Professor Magdi Yacoub’’s life, the man who improved the lives of many, in a compelling biography that promises to motivate and fascinate, A Surgeon and A Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub by Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman, with a foreword by Dame Mary Archer.
A percentage of the proceeds will support the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation – مؤسسة مجدى يعقوب للقلب
Read more about this groundbreaking project in the Time-News feature and the Daily Mail.
Global praise to Sir Magdy Yaqoub’s ‘living valve’ as surgical advance in treating heart diseases
Recently, following the announcement of this exciting development the VIP lounge hall at Aswan Airport was named after Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, and Dr. Yacoub’s portraits will also be displayed throughout the airport.
This recognition reflects the broader admiration for his work, which includes the founding of the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, his leadership of the establishment of the Aswan Heart Center, and Yacoub’s drive to develop the new Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Center near the Giza Pyramids, which is set to open in 2025.


Dr. Magdi Yacoub’s Heart Health Tips: Lifestyle, Diet, and Exercise for a Longer, Happier Life

In a recent interview with BBC Arabic, the renowned Dr. Magdi Yacoub shared insightful tips on maintaining a healthy heart through lifestyle adjustments.
He emphasized the critical importance of heart health, highlighting that caring for it is the key to a long and happy life.
Dr. Yacoub stressed the importance of monitoring one’s diet by avoiding excessive fats and prioritizing vegetables and fish. He also advised protecting the heart by engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and keeping track of blood pressure, noting that high blood pressure is easy to manage if detected early.
When asked about specific habits:
- Coffee vs. Tea: Both can benefit the heart when consumed moderately and over the long term.
- Running vs. Swimming: Swimming is preferred as it’s easier on the joints.
- Sports for Heart Patients: Exercise is beneficial for everyone, including heart patients, but should be practiced with caution and not aggressively.
- Hot or Cold Showers: Cold showers are better for the heart.
- Diet vs. Exercise: While both are essential, Dr. Yacoub highlighted the greater importance of regular exercise.