British man breaks 'heart transplant survival world record' of 30 years

A British man has become world's longest-surviving heart transplant patient, thus registering his name in Guinness book of world records.

John McCafferty, broke the previous world record of 30 years, 11 months and 10 days set by an American man who died in 2009, the BBC reported.

The 71-year-old, from Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, told the publication that he wants this world record to be an inspiration to anyone awaiting a heart transplant and to those who, like him, have been fortunate enough to have had one.

After McCafferty underwent the life-saving operation at Harefield Hospital in Middlesex 31 years ago he was told he had five years to live.