When amyloid deposits in the heart, it can cause the heart to stiffen. This can mean blood is unable to pump around the body properly and this can lead to symptoms of heart failure.
Sometimes patients can benefit from supportive treatment designed to combat heart failure. However, many standard medications used for heart failure are not helpful for patients with cardiac amyloidosis.
It is therefore important to understand that normal medicines may not be appropriate for you, and it is important to discuss your options with your clinical team.
Taking medicines regularly and as prescribed can also be very important for patients with heart problems. If you want to stop taking medication that you have been prescribed you should always notify your clinical team.
Supportive treatment for heart disease
When amyloid deposits in the heart, it can cause the heart to stiffen. This can mean blood is unable to pump around the body properly and this can lead to symptoms of heart failure.
Sometimes patients can benefit from supportive treatment designed to combat heart failure. However, many standard medications used for heart failure are not helpful for patients with cardiac amyloidosis.
It is therefore important to understand that normal medicines may not be appropriate for you, and it is important to discuss your options with your clinical team.
Taking medicines regularly and as prescribed can also be very important for patients with heart problems. If you want to stop taking medication that you have been prescribed you should always notify your clinical team.
Fluid balance
One of the most important aims of treatment for ATTR cardiac amyloidosis is strict fluid balance control.
If the heart becomes too stiff to pump blood efficiently around the body, this can lead to fluid build-up, which in turn can cause leg swelling and breathlessness due to fluid in the lungs.
This problem is exacerbated if the patient drinks too much fluid. A specialist heart failure nurse may be able to help patients achieve fluid balance, but patients may be advised to limit their fluid intake as well.
Fluid retention can generally be avoided with careful attention to diet, using diuretics and monitoring weight regularly.
Fluid balance
One of the most important aims of treatment for ATTR cardiac amyloidosis is strict fluid balance control.
If the heart becomes too stiff to pump blood efficiently around the body, this can lead to fluid build-up, which in turn can cause leg swelling and breathlessness due to fluid in the lungs.
This problem is exacerbated if the patient drinks too much fluid. A specialist heart failure nurse may be able to help patients achieve fluid balance, but patients may be advised to limit their fluid intake as well.
Fluid retention can generally be avoided with careful attention to diet, using diuretics and monitoring weight regularly.
Diuretics (water tablets)
Doctors will often prescribe diuretics (water tablets) which increase the amount of urine produced and helps the body to lose excess salt and water in the urine. This can help to reduce ankle swelling and breathlessness. Diuretics prescribed may include furosemide and spironolactone. Taking these drugs is not a substitute for avoidance of excessive dietary salt and water.
Patients should follow their doctor’s advice carefully regarding the dose of diuretic and the time of day when the tablet should be taken.
Diuretics (water tablets)
Doctors will often prescribe diuretics (water tablets) which increase the amount of urine produced and helps the body to lose excess salt and water in the urine. This can help to reduce ankle swelling and breathlessness. Diuretics prescribed may include furosemide and spironolactone. Taking these drugs is not a substitute for avoidance of excessive dietary salt and water.
Patients should follow their doctor’s advice carefully regarding the dose of diuretic and the time of day when the tablet should be taken.
Diet
The amount of fluid you drink should be steady and generally should not exceed 1.5 litres per day.
Salt intake should also be limited. This includes attention not just to salt deliberately added to food during cooking or at the table but also to pre-prepared foods with high salt content such as processed foods, crisps, bacon and canned meats.
Apart from that, a balanced, healthy diet is always advisable. It can be very helpful to meet with a dietician for precise and personalised dietary advice.
The NHS website also has advise about food that is typically high in salt.
Diet
The amount of fluid you drink should be steady and generally should not exceed 1.5 litres per day.
Salt intake should also be limited. This includes attention not just to salt deliberately added to food during cooking or at the table but also to pre-prepared foods with high salt content such as processed foods, crisps, bacon and canned meats.
Apart from that, a balanced, healthy diet is always advisable. It can be very helpful to meet with a dietician for precise and personalised dietary advice.
The NHS website also has advise about food that is typically high in salt.
Weight monitoring
Some patients benefit from recording their weight regularly, usually daily or weekly. It is important that weight should be measured consistently – using the same scales, at the same time of day. This is usually best done first thing in the morning after passing urine, just wearing underclothes. Several litres of fluid can accumulate in the body without it being very noticeable.
An increase in weight can be an early sign of fluid overload. The doctor or nurse can then recommend appropriate measures such as increased diuretic dose before the patient even feels unwell.
Weight monitoring
Some patients benefit from recording their weight regularly, usually daily or weekly. It is important that weight should be measured consistently – using the same scales, at the same time of day. This is usually best done first thing in the morning after passing urine, just wearing underclothes. Several litres of fluid can accumulate in the body without it being very noticeable.
An increase in weight can be an early sign of fluid overload. The doctor or nurse can then recommend appropriate measures such as increased diuretic dose before the patient even feels unwell.