Personalized Treatment Plans for Cardiac Amyloidosis 

Cardiac amyloidosis is the buildup of abnormal, misshapen proteins in your heart. These proteins, called amyloid, collect in your heart muscle and make the walls of your heart thicker.  

Thicker heart muscles don’t pump as easily. So, it’s harder for your heart to push oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. Over time, your heart weakens and you can develop heart failure.  

If amyloid collects in your heart valves, those valves may leak (valve regurgitation) and narrow (valve stenosis). Both conditions make your heart work harder to pump blood. 

There are two main types of cardiac amyloidosis: 

• Light chain amyloidosis: abnormal proteins come from your bone marrow 
• Transthyretin amyloidosis: abnormal proteins come from your liver 

At Keck Medicine of USC, we offer comprehensive cardiology care for cardiac amyloidosis. Our cardiologists are heart failure specialists who will create a personalized treatment plan to reduce your symptoms and improve your well-being.  

Symptoms of Cardiac Amyloidosis  

Cardiac amyloidosis produces signs of heart failure. As the condition worsens, your symptoms will, too. You can experience: 

• Dizziness 
• Fatigue that lingers 
• Heart palpitations  
• Low blood pressure when you stand up 
• Lightheadedness 
• Shortness of breath during exercise or at rest 
• Swelling in your abdomen or legs 

Cardiac amyloidosis can also trigger symptoms that aren’t directly related to your heart. These signs can include: 

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Constipation 
• Diarrhea 
• Easy bleeding or bruising 
• Enlarged tongue 
• Lumbar spinal stenosis  
• Peripheral or autonomic neuropathy (numbness or tingling in your hands or feet) 
• Poor appetite 
• Purple discoloration around your eyelids 

Treatments for Cardiac Amyloidosis We Offer 

There is no cure for cardiac amyloidosis. But our expert cardiologists can diagnose your condition early when treatment can be most effective. We will recommend specific therapies based on the type of cardiac amyloidosis you have. Cardiac amyloidosis treatment may include: 

• Amyloid-specific medications that reduce abnormal protein production 
• Organ transplant to replace the organ affected by amyloid damage 
• Symptom management treatments  

Why Choose Us for Cardiac Amyloidosis Care

Our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools enable us to detect disease early and create personalized treatment plans.

We provide a full range of treatments for all types of cardiac amyloidosis.

Our certified advanced practice nurse practitioners provide education, direct care and physician coordination to facilitate and maximize your treatment and recovery.