How big of a risk is it for a heart transplant patient to get a tongue piercing?

Be seen: I would not recommend that a heart transplant patient get any procedures done that are elective due to the possibility of your impaired immune system not being able to fight off an infection. Though piercings like this rarely cause infection, in a transplant patient, why take that risk? As your transplant doctor what they think on the matter.

Not recommended: As a heart transplant doctor, i wouldn't advise it. While i can't quote you percentages of bad things that would happen, any piercing or tattoos in transplant recipients have a real risk of getting hepatitis b or c, and a host of 'regular' infections that can be deadly in someone who takes immunosuppressants.

Why?: Any individual getting foreign bodies injected, attached, implanted, etc. Is at risk for getting infections, abscesses, etc. Someone who is taking immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection is at even greater risk. So why do it?

Russian Roulette?: The mouth is a moist safe-haven for bacteria. Piercings are a portal for germs to enter the body. The large blood vessels of the tongue can rapidly transport bacteria to other parts of the body including the brain. There is the potential for death, even in someone who is not immunocompromised.