Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a form of amyloidosis
Amyloidosis (pronounced am-uh-loi-DO-sis)
is a group of diseases in which certain abnormal proteins can build up over time and affect different parts of the body.
ATTR-CM, which stands for transthyretin (pronounced trans-THY-re-tin) amyloid cardiomyopathy,
is a serious and underdiagnosed type of amyloidosis that primarily affects the heart and leads to heart failure.
Recently diagnosed? Keep these tips in mind:
It’s important to understand that ATTR-CM is a rare, life-threatening, progressive condition, which means it will get worse over time.
Discuss treatment options with your doctor as soon as your diagnosis is confirmed. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you can begin to slow the disease progression.
Connect with others who have gone through a similar experience with ATTR-CM.
Why Stan started his treatment early
Why Stan started his treatment early
"When I was initially diagnosed with ATTR-CM, my cardiologist explained that this was a progressive disease. And that once we had a complete and final diagnosis, we’d want to start treatment as soon as possible."
Subtypes of ATTR-CM
The 2 subtypes of ATTR-CM are wild type and hereditary.
Wild-type ATTR-CM (wtATTR)
Wild-type ATTR-CM is associated with aging. It occurs when the transthyretin (TTR) protein becomes unstable with age and misfolds. It mainly affects white/Caucasian men over 60 years old.
Hereditary ATTR-CM (hATTR)
hATTR is caused by a change, or mutation, in the TTR gene that is passed down from a relative.
- There are more than 120 known mutations that cause hATTR
- The most common mutation associated with hATTR in the US, known as V122I, is found almost exclusively in African Americans. Approximately 3% to 4% of African Americans in the US are thought to have the V122I mutation. Not all individuals with the V122I mutation develop symptoms of hereditary ATTR-CM
- Symptoms of hATTR can occur as early as age 50 or 60
