Amyloidosis Symptoms & Causes (Mayo Clinic)

At Mayo Clinic, people with symptoms of cardiac amyloidosis receive diagnosis and treatment from a team of experts in the Cardiac Amyloidosis Clinic. This specialized care is available at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare and complex condition that is fatal and incurable. It can mimic other conditions and go undiagnosed for years. It's important to talk with heart doctors who understand the condition if you have related symptoms. These include shortness of breath, painful nerves, swelling, low blood pressure, chest pain, an unexplained stroke and an irregular heart rhythm.

What causes cardiac amyloidosis?

Amyloidosis external link, opens in a new taboccurs when the body produces unusual proteins that bind together to form amyloids. Amyloids can deposit in any tissue or organ, including the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves. When they form in the heart, the condition is called cardiac amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis can thicken the heart wall and disrupt heart function. It makes it harder for the heart to fill with blood between heartbeats. And this results in less blood being pumped with each beat. Cardiac amyloidosis also can affect the heart's electrical system, causing an irregular heart rhythm.