• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Heart Health / Navigating the Data, Treatments and Breakthroughs of hATTR Amyloidosis

Navigating the Data, Treatments and Breakthroughs of hATTR Amyloidosis

Cancer Cell in human showing abnormal cells.Medical science background concept.

ATTR amyloidosis means A for Amyloid and the TTR is short for the protein “transthyretin.” ATTR is one term that represents different kinds of mutations in a TTR gene that is inherited. That gene mutation makes the transthyretin unstable, so amyloid protein misfolding occurs. The amyloid fibrils then go out into the body and can damage nerves and/or organs, depending on the type of TTR mutation that the patient has inherited. TTR is mainly manufactured in the liver.

The majority of hereditary amyloidosis types are TTR-related, and there are many different variations within ATTR. Most ATTR diseases have a hereditary pattern of organ involvement, approximate age of onset and associated symptoms. It is common that symptoms do not appear until a person is an adult and the degree and severity of illness depends on the individual.

In the past, because ATTR often involves nerve or cardiac involvement, some terms were used when the chemical variations were less defined. Examples of these outdated terms include FAP (Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy) and FAC (Familial Amyloid Cardiomyopathy).

Today, the different forms of ATTR are termed according to the “chemically based” name of the transthyretin protein variation. An example of this would be ATTRV30M (for ATTR Val30Met), which is the most common ATTR variation.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

According to the Amyloidosis Foundation, today’s treatment plans are two-fold:

Supportive treatment – treating your symptoms and organ damage
Source treatment – slowing down, or stopping, the overproduction of amyloid at the source of the disease.

Supportive Treatment
Supportive treatment is helpful for various symptoms, including peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and cardiac and kidney problems, and can change the quality of life for many people. There are several medications that can be prescribed to treat peripheral neuropathy, which can cause tingling or burning in some parts of the body. These medications can help with pain relief and nerve damage. If a patient has autonomic neuropathy, symptoms can vary, with common problems affecting blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and perspiration, depending on the location of the damage to the nerves. Other gastrointestinal dysfunctions may require treatment for symptoms that include poor nutritional health, diarrhea or constipation, and nausea or vomiting. Doctors can prescribe medications to help with these symptoms to lessen the pain and the symptom itself.

Management of heart problems, heart failure, and kidney dialysis (when needed) make a significant improvement on a patient’s quality of life. Reversing any damage to the organs and other parts of the body is difficult to achieve. If treatment begins during the early onset of clinical symptoms, the overall success rate is higher, so early detection is essential.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

Source Treatment
For most ATTR variations, the liver is the main source of amyloid production. However, the liver itself is not affected by the disease in most cases and the amyloid burden causes damage in other parts of the body. A liver transplant is very helpful in reducing (or stopping) the amyloid deposits. It can stabilize or improve neurological symptoms as well as gastrointestinal problems (which can correct poor nutrition and overall health). However, the statistics vary as to who can benefit from these transplants, with the more common ATTR Val30Met having the highest success rate. The outcome of liver transplantation is largely dependent on the mutation that exists in the patient. In some cases, amyloid deposition does completely stop after transplantation, so research is ongoing in this area. For those patients with cardiac symptoms, studies have shown that heart problems may continue after a liver transplant. In some situations, a combined heart and liver transplant will help a patient with an ATTR variant that produces advanced cardiac problems. In 2018, two drugs were approved by the FDA for ATTR polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis in adults. The first was ONPATTRO (patisiran) lipid complex injection, a first of its kind RNA interference therapeutic. This drug aims to silencing the gene expression.

January 15, 2020 by Derrick Lane

Read Next Article

The Latest In Heart Health

effects of alcohol on the heart

5 Signs Your Heart Is Begging You To Stop Drinking

It’s true that having an occasional drink shouldn’t be bad for your health. If you’ve been indulging in alcoholic beverages, though, studies show that you could be damaging your heart. The good news is that it’s possible to heal your read more about 5 Signs Your Heart Is Begging You To Stop Drinking
What Causes Feet To Swell

What Causes Feet To Swell? 7 Main Reasons

Q: What causes feet to swell? - P. H.  A: There are many reasons the feet may swell. It is very important that you figure out the root cause behind your swollen feet. There are some serious health implications as read more about What Causes Feet To Swell? 7 Main Reasons
avocados

Avocados Do a Heart Good, Here Are 7 Ways to Add Them to Your Diet

Avocado toast has become the favored breakfast of the healthy and fit, and now new research suggests their choice may protect their hearts. People who ate half an avocado twice a week had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a read more about Avocados Do a Heart Good, Here Are 7 Ways to Add Them to Your Diet
obesity

Obesity May Be Affecting Heart Health in Kids as Young as 6

As early as age 6, children who carry extra weight could be headed down a path toward future diabetes or heart disease, a new study suggests. The study, of nearly 1,000 Danish children, found that kids who were overweight often had read more about Obesity May Be Affecting Heart Health in Kids as Young as 6
smartwatch

5 Ways Your Smartwatch Can Save Your Life

There’s no debating that technology has changed the way people live. Regardless of if you think technology has changed the way of living for the better or for worse, there are so many new experiences people get to enjoy or read more about 5 Ways Your Smartwatch Can Save Your Life
cholesterol

7 Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol Every Time You Eat

Have you ever wondered how the foods you eat could impact your cholesterol? One of many known truths is this: a diet rich in fiber can lower cholesterol to healthier levels. But fewer than 5 percent of average American adults read more about 7 Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol Every Time You Eat

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • David And Tamela Mann On 34 Years Of Marriage: “I’ve Found A Good Thing”David And Tamela Mann On 34 Years Of Marriage: "I've Found A Good Thing"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.