Cardiovascular Disease

Transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a rare, age-related, debilitating disease. In particular, the wild-type (ATTRwt) is often diagnosed in older patients who also present symptoms of other comorbidities. One review, published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, discussed the challenges when diagnosing older patients with ATTR-CM. 13% of patients over 60 hospitalized with heart failure with...

The number of older patients in the United States is expected to increase by 69% between 2020 and 2060. In addition, ethnic and racial groups are expected to become the racial majority within the next 35 years. However, heart failure disparities and comorbidity disparities span across different ethnic groups. Socioeconomic factors, race, and conditions associated...

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis develops from precursor plasma cells that produce clonal free light chains. These clonal free light chains can lead to the formation of fibril deposits in the heart tissue and disrupt the function of the heart. AL amyloidosis is a progressive disease with signs and symptoms that can develop slowly over months...

Researchers have not extensively studied cardiac amyloidosis expressions, phenotype, and all-cause mortality differences between men and women. Women may show different cardiac amyloidosis expressions due to genetic and physical factors, such as a smaller heart size. There is especially concern about the risk of mortality attributed to transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Evaluating these differences may...

The cardiac presentation of transthyretin amyloidosis, otherwise known as transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), can be life-threatening. Without proper support and treatment, ATTR-CM can cause heart failure (HF). Given the severe nature of the disease, patients with ATTR HF may experience higher costs of care than those with non-ATTR HF. This study, published in ESC Heart...

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a life-threatening heart condition historically considered a rare disease. Left untreated, ATTR-CM can lead to heart failure and other heart complications. Several mutations in the TTR gene are associated with the development of the disease. The V122I mutation is the most common variant in the United States, and around 4% of...

Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) is a non-hereditary form of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) that commonly leads to peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms of ATTRwt usually do not appear until after 60 in men and women. However, what makes ATTRwt particularly dangerous is that it can remain undiagnosed, especially in women. Few studies...

The prevalence of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is reportedly lower in women than men. As a life-threatening heart condition, ATTR-CM can often lead to heart failure and other complications, including death. However, sex-related differences have not been assessed in detail.  This systematic review, published in Heart Failure Reviews, sought to determine whether there are differences in...

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults differ from heterosexual adults on several health indicators, according to a study published in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kevin C. Heslin, Ph.D., and Johanna M. Alfier, M.P.H., from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland,...