FAQ

Common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of the legs, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and reduced exercise tolerance.

The two main types affecting the heart are:

• Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR)

• Light-chain amyloidosis (AL)

Each type requires a different treatment approach.

Cardiac amyloidosis is frequently misdiagnosed because its symptoms resemble common conditions such as hypertensive heart disease or standard heart failure.

Some important warning signs include unexplained heart failure, thickened heart walls on echocardiography, low voltage on ECG, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy.

Diagnosis usually involves blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies, and sometimes a tissue biopsy to confirm the presence of amyloid deposits.

Doctors may use:

• Echocardiography

• Nuclear scintigraphy imaging

• Cardiac MRI

• Serum free light chain testing

• Genetic testing

AL amyloidosis progresses rapidly and requires urgent treatment. Therefore, doctors must first exclude AL amyloidosis before diagnosing other forms such as ATTR amyloidosis.

Yes. Early diagnosis is possible when clinicians recognize warning signs and use appropriate diagnostic tests.

Yes. Several treatments are available depending on the type of amyloidosis. Early treatment can slow disease progression and improve patient outcomes.

Treatment focuses on targeting abnormal plasma cells using therapies similar to those used for multiple myeloma, including chemotherapy and targeted medications.

ATTR amyloidosis may be treated with medications that stabilize transthyretin proteins, gene-silencing therapies, and supportive care to manage symptoms.

Treatment can slow or stabilize disease progression. However, advanced organ damage may not be fully reversible, which is why early diagnosis is essential.

The true prevalence of amyloidosis in Africa is not well known because many cases remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Several factors contribute to underdiagnosis, including limited awareness among clinicians, restricted access to specialized diagnostic tests, and lack of research data. Read More

Registries and research programs help identify the true burden of disease, improve diagnostic pathways, and guide healthcare policy. Read More

Yes. Cardiac amyloidosis is increasingly recognized worldwide as an important cause of heart failure, particularly in older adults.

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases caused by abnormal protein deposits called amyloid that accumulate in tissues and organs. These deposits disrupt normal organ function and may affect the heart, kidneys, nerves, liver, or digestive system. Read More

Amyloidosis occurs when certain proteins become unstable, misfold, and form amyloid fibrils that deposit in organs. Different proteins cause different types of amyloidosis, such as light chains in AL amyloidosis or transthyretin in ATTR amyloidosis. Read More

Amyloidosis is often described as a rare disease. However, many experts believe it is underdiagnosed rather than truly rare, particularly in regions where awareness and diagnostic tools are limited.

Amyloidosis can affect many organs including the heart, kidneys, nervous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and soft tissues. The symptoms depend on which organs are involved.

Yes. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) is caused by genetic mutations and can be inherited.

Genetic counseling and testing may be recommended for relatives of patients with hereditary amyloidosis.

Patients and families can seek information, education, and support through healthcare providers and initiatives such as Amyloidosis Africa.