Watch as mother hears son’s heart beat in transplant recipient

A mother has heard her dead son’s heartbeat inside a transplant patient. Lisa Swanson’s son, Levi Schulz, died in a car crash four years ago at the age of 18. Three days later his heart was given to Terry Hooper, who had cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle. Ms Swanson, from North Dakota, U.S. broke down as she met the 64-year-old for the first time at Nebraska Medical Centre in Omaha. She wept again listening to an ultrasound of his new heart.

I get happiness and sadness all at the same time - sad that he’s not here but happy he was able to help Terry.

Lisa Swanson

Mr Hooper had cardiomyopathy, which makes the heart lose its ability to pump blood effectively, and had been placed on the transplant list. Mr Hooper and Mrs Swanson have corresponded through letters since 2013, but Friday was their first face-to-face meeting. Schulz’s twin brother, Shelby Schulz, also attended and listened to the ultrasound. Mr Hooper wore a T-shirt printed with Levi’s face on the front and said the youngster was “my hero”. He presented Ms Swanson with a stuffed toy that plays a recording of her son’s heartbeat, which she said she would listen to “every night”.

Nebraska heart