LONDON -- A woman transplant patient came face to face with her old heart Tuesday at a British exhibition she hopes will increase public awareness about organ donations.

Heart transplant patient Jennifer Sutton comes face to face with her own heart at the Wellcome Collection's Heart exhibition in central London Sept. 4, 2007. [AFP]

The condition, which causes the heart muscle to stiffen after normal contractions, was slowly killing her, and Sutton described the experience of seeing her diseased former heart as "surreal".

The diseased organ is now on display at the Wellcome Collection in central London, as part of a temporary exhibition that explores the medical and cultural significance of the heart.

"Seeing my heart for the first time is an emotional and surreal experience," she told reporters.

"It caused me so much pain and turmoil when it was inside me. Seeing it sitting here is extremely bizarre and very strange.

"Finally I can see this odd looking lump of muscle that has given me so much upset."

Sutton hopes the exhibition will raise public awareness about organ transplants.

"I was really curious and excited to see it but at the same time I am trying to love the heart I have now" she said.

"I have lost my feelings for the old one, it doesn't matter to me any more.

"It's weird to think I am stood here alive and that was part of me once upon a time."

The exhibition, which is open to the public until September 16, brings together contemporary and historic artefacts that examine how our understanding of the heart has changed over time.