Cardiac AmyloidosisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac amyloidosis is a disorder caused by deposits of an abnormal protein (amyloid) in the heart tissue. These deposits make it hard for the heart to work properly.
Amyloidosis - cardiac; Primary cardiac amyloidosis - AL type; Secondary cardiac amyloidosis - AA type; Stiff heart syndrome; Senile amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which clumps of proteins called amyloid build up in body tissues. Over time, these proteins replace normal tissue, leading to failure of the involved organ. There are many forms of amyloidosis.
Cardiac amyloidosis ("stiff heart syndrome") occurs when amyloid deposits take the place of normal heart muscle. It is the most typical type of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Cardiac amyloidosis may affect the way electrical signals move through the heart (conduction system). This can lead to abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias) and faulty heart signals (heart block).
The condition can be inherited. This is called familial cardiac amyloidosis. It can also develop as the result of another disease such as a type of bone and blood cancer, or as the result of another medical problem causing inflammation. Cardiac amyloidosis is more common in men than in women. The disease is rare in people under age 40.
Some people may have no symptoms. When present, symptoms may include:
- Excessive urination at night
- Fatigue, reduced exercise ability
- Palpitations (sensation of feeling heartbeat)
- Shortness of breath with activity
- Swelling of the abdomen, legs, ankles, or other part of the body
- Trouble breathing while lying down
Your health care provider may tell you to make changes to your diet, including limiting salt and fluids.
You may need to take water pills (diuretics) to help your body get rid of excess fluid. Your provider may tell you to weigh yourself every day. A weight gain of 3 or more pounds (1 kilogram or more) over 1 to 2 days can mean there is too much fluid in the body.
Medicines including digoxin, calcium-channel blockers, and beta-blockers may be used in people with atrial fibrillation. However, the medicines must be used with caution, and the dosage must be carefully monitored. People with cardiac amyloidosis may be extra sensitive to side effects of these medicines.
Other treatments may include:
- Chemotherapy and immunomodulators (for the bone marrow abnormality type)
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD)
- Medicines that target the abnormal protein (tafamidis, acoramidis)
- Medicines that reduce the liver’s production of amyloid (vutrisiran)
- Pacemaker, if there are problems with heart signals
- Prednisone, an anti-inflammatory medicine
A heart transplant may be considered for people with some types of amyloidosis who have very poor heart function. People with hereditary amyloidosis may need a liver transplant.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Mazen Hanna is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been practicing medicine for over 33 years. Dr. Hanna is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiac Amyloidosis. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiac Amyloidosis, Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy, Primary Amyloidosis, Heart Transplant, and Tenotomy.
Brigham And Women's Hospital
Rodney Falk is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Boston,, Massachusetts. Dr. Falk is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiac Amyloidosis. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiac Amyloidosis, Primary Amyloidosis, Transthyretin Amyloidosis, Heart Transplant, and Cardiac Ablation.
Boston Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy
Frederick Ruberg is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Ruberg is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiac Amyloidosis. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Primary Amyloidosis, Cardiac Amyloidosis, Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy, Heart Transplant, and Cardiac Ablation.
In the past, cardiac amyloidosis was thought to be an untreatable and rapidly fatal disease. However, the field is changing rapidly. Different types of amyloidosis can affect the heart in different ways. Some types are more severe than others. Many people can now expect to survive and experience a good quality of life for several years after diagnosis.
Complications may include:
- Atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias
- Congestive heart failure
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
- Increased sensitivity to digoxin
- Low blood pressure and dizziness from excessive urination (due to medicine)
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Symptomatic cardiac conduction system disease (arrhythmias related to abnormal conduction of impulses through the heart muscle)
Contact your provider if you have this disorder and develop new symptoms such as:
- Dizziness when you change position
- Excessive weight (fluid) gain
- Excessive weight loss
- Fainting spells
- Severe breathing problems
Summary: Cardiac amyloidosis is a condition where the heart muscle, amongst other tissues, is infiltrated by the abnormal build-up of proteins called amyloid. This stiffens and thickens the heart muscle over time which makes it less efficient and puts further stress and strain on the other chambers of the heart, leading to heart failure. The commonest form, that affects predominantly the elderly, is called...
Summary: Approximately 1.5 million of the 44 million Blacks in the United States are carriers of the valine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 122 (V122I) in the transthyretin (TTR) protein. Virtually exclusive to Blacks, this is the most common cause of hereditary cardiac amyloidosis (hATTR-CA) worldwide. hATTR-CA leads to worsening heart failure (HF) and premature death. Fortunately, new therapies th...
Published Date: April 28, 2026
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Elliott PM, Olivotto I. Diseases of the myocardium and endocardium. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 47.
Hershberger RE, Judge DP. The dilated, restrictive, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 60.
Writing Committee; Kittleson MM, Ambardekar AV, et al. Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis evaluation and management: 2025 ACC concise clinical guidance. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2026;87(5):549-565. PMID: 41171219 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41171219/.