Bert Janssen, 57, has been living with a donated heart for almost 40 full years. He received at Harefield Hospital in north-west London in June 1984.
The result has now been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records. The Dutchman was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy after developing flu-like symptoms when he was 17. He is married with two children and a keen glider pilot. "I never could have imagined I would get this far,” he said.