Every day, your heart works tirelessly, pumping blood that delivers the oxygen and nutrients your body needs to function. February is American Heart Month, a reminder that understanding your heart, how to care for it, and the diseases that can affect it is vital to your overall health. 

Although it is rare, cardiac amyloidosis is an important heart disease to pay attention to because its symptoms can be easy to overlook and often resemble those of other heart conditions and health problems. Amyloidosis, which can impact the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, soft tissue, muscle, and digestive tract, is a disorder that affects an estimated 9-14 people per million in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic.  

While it was once considered untreatable, cardiac amyloidosis can now be more accurately diagnosed and effectively managed thanks to major advances in research, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options. 

What is Cardiac Amyloidosis?  

Cardiac amyloidosis occurs when amyloid proteins accumulate in the heart, interfering with its normal function.  When these proteins build up in the heart muscle, the walls of the heart thicken, forcing it to work harder to pump blood. Over time, this extra strain can weaken the heart and lead to heart failure.  

One of the main types of amyloidosis that can affect the heart is transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), which has two subtypes. Wild-type ATTR occurs sporadically, typically found in people over age 60. The other subtype, familial ATTR, results from an inherited mutation that causes amyloid proteins to build up in the heart.  

The other common type of amyloidosis is light-chain amyloidosis (AL). This form occurs when light chain proteins, components of antibodies produced by plasma cells in the bone marrow, mutate or change shape. 

Detecting Cardiac Amyloidosis  

Unlike many heart conditions, cardiac amyloidosis is not influenced by environmental or lifestyle factors. Because of this, paying close attention to symptoms and undergoing thorough diagnostic testing is essential for accurate detection. 

Unexplained fatigue is the most common symptom of cardiac amyloidosis, but others may include shortness of breath during activity or rest, heart palpitations during routine tasks, and swelling in the abdomen or legs. Because amyloid proteins can accumulate in other parts of the body, conditions such as spinal stenosis, tendon problems, or carpal tunnel syndrome may also indicate amyloid build up beyond the heart.  

Cardiac amyloidosis can be diagnosed through tests such as electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess the heart’s electrical activity, an echocardiogram to detect thickened heart muscles, nuclear imaging, and genetic testing. The earlier cardiac amyloidosis is detected, the better the long-term outlook for patients.  

If someone is diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, medications and treatments are available to help limit long-term damage to your heart. Researchers continue to study new therapies and approaches aimed at addressing the root causes of cardiac amyloidosis. 

Keeping Your Heart Healthy 

While Cardiac amyloidosis may not be linked to lifestyle habits, many other heart diseases are tied to lifestyles. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. Taking steps to maintain your overall heart health can improve your quality of life and help prevent other heart problems in the future. 

Healthy habits such as getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, maintaining a heart-healthy diet, and limiting alcohol intake can all help lower your risk of heart disease. One of the most important steps you can take for your heart is to quit smoking or never start. Smoking is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is responsible for one in every four CVD-related deaths.  

If you have a family history of heart disease, monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure closely, and limit your intake of processed foods.  

This American Heart Month, take proactive steps to protect your cardiovascular health: stay informed, make heart-healthy choices, and work with your healthcare provider to keep your heart strong for years to come. 

Andrew Potash, MD, is a cardiologist at Berkshire Medical Center