If you or a loved one are living with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (hATTR-CM), you are likely well-acquainted with the challenges of heart health. You know the fatigue, the shortness of breath, and the routine of cardiac checkups. However, a landmark study from the University of Toronto suggests that for more than half of patients, the heart is only part of the picture.
The research, recently published in the journal CJC Open, reveals that over 50 percent of adults with hATTR-CM also have significant nerve damage (polyneuropathy). This is what doctors call a “mixed phenotype”—a profile where the disease attacks both the heart and the nervous system simultaneously.
For many patients, this discovery is the missing link. Understanding this connection isn’t just about labeling symptoms; it is the key to qualifying for additional, life-changing therapies that were previously out of reach.