In an incredibly rare sight, a TikTok user has shared a video of a beating heart being transported for a transplant, and people have been left stunned as they label it ‘huge’ and ‘so scary’
People have been left awe-struck after a video of a ‘huge’ beating heart went viral as it was transported for a transplant.
It’s not uncommon for hearts, or other organs, to be moved from one hospital to another so a life-saving transplant can be carried out. Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant revealed in July this year that 8,096 patients, including 276 children, were on the active transplant waiting list as of 31 March 2025 – the highest number ever recorded.
Organ transplants can be moved via commercial flights and chartered private jets for long distances, or in an ambulance or helicopter for shorter journeys. For heart transplants, they are often transported in a ‘Heart in a Box’ – a machine that allows the organ to beat outside of the body.
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In a rare sight, Julio, who works in aviation, shared a clip of a beating heart in a ‘Heart in a Box’ that was about to be transported via a private jet. In the TikTok video, he showed the plane on the runway before panning across to the heart that could be heard beating loudly while in the device.
An ambulance was also at the scene, having seemingly transported the heart to the runway. In the video, Julio (@julio.24g) could be heard saying, “Right in front of my plane… this is what we’re carrying.”
He also wrote the caption: “I get to see some wild things at work medical transport of a live beating heart #medical #aviation #transplant.” The TikTok video accumulated a whopping 3M likes and almost 20K comments as people were left shocked at seeing the beating heart.
One commented: “Seeing a LIVE beating heart is honestly so scary.” A second wrote: “HEART IN A BOX!!!!!! WHAT A PRIVELAGE TO SEE. [sic]”
A third penned: “That’s someone’s whole life in that box,” and a fourth added: “It’s amazing how it’s pumping with no human attached.” Another also shared: “Never once did I consider that the heart has to be kept active during transportation. Science is incredible.”
Many others were stunned at the size of the heart, as one said: “That is wayyyy bigger than I imagined.” A second agreed: “That is huge!!! I had no idea a heart was that big.”
“But why is it so BIG? I thought hearts were the size of a fist??”, a third asked. Another exclaimed: “You’re telling me one of those is in my chest right NOW??”
Noting Julio’s job, one TikTok user commented: “You’re carrying someone’s old life to someone’s new life. What an honor.” While another also shared: “Heart in a box in real life! I thought it was just a thing on grey’s anatomy, that’s amazing!”