Key Information
Being told that you may have cardiac amyloidosis can be unsettling, especially because many people have never heard of the condition before diagnosis. Symptoms often resemble more common heart problems: shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, or reduced exercise tolerance. Some patients spend months or years being treated for heart failure, valve disease, rhythm disorders, or unexplained weakness before amyloidosis is considered.
Cardiac amyloidosis is serious because it affects the heart muscle itself. Abnormal proteins build up in the heart tissue, making the heart walls stiff and less able to relax between beats. Over time, the heart may struggle to fill properly, blood pressure can become difficult to maintain, and fluid may accumulate in the lungs, abdomen, or legs. In some patients, the electrical system of the heart is also affected, leading to atrial fibrillation, slow heart rhythms, or fainting episodes.