Why There’s New Hope if You Have Cardiac Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is a disorder in which certain proteins abnormally change their shape in a process called “misfolding.” The misfolded proteins accumulate together and form protein deposits called “amyloid fibrils” that may build up in your heart, kidneys or other organs.
One of the main types of amyloidosis is called transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. In this type, the amyloid fibrils are formed from a protein called “TTR” that comes from the liver.
Depending on where fibrils build up, you can have symptoms such as:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal stenosis
- Numb or weak legs or feet
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Fatigue
- Stomach or intestinal troubles
- Eye floaters
- Lightheadedness
