An American man lived 555 days without a heart while awaiting a transplant.

Stan Larkin's heart was removed from his body in November 2014 and replaced with a device that enabled the 25-year-old Ypsilanti, Michigan resident to remain at home while he waited for a new heart, CNN reported.

Larkin appeared normal but wore a backpack that housed the power source for the artificial heart pumping in his chest.

He finally received a new heart in May and is now recovering in hospital. He may return home as early as next week, CNN reported.

"Most people would be scared to go so long with [an artificial heart], but I just want to tell them that you have to go through the fear, because it helps you," Larkin said. "I'm going home so fast after the transplant because it helped me stay healthy before the transplant.