10. Cold Hands and Feet: A Sign of Poor Circulation
Individuals with cardiac amyloidosis may have cold hands and feet due to reduced blood flow. One of the common symptoms of cardiac amyloidosis is the feeling of cold hands and feet, also known as acrocyanosis. This is due to the reduced blood flow to the extremities, which can be caused by a number of factors related to the heart’s decreased pumping capacity.
One reason for the reduced blood flow to the hands and feet is the accumulation of amyloid fibrils in the small blood vessels that supply these areas. This can lead to narrowing of the blood vessels, which in turn reduces the flow of blood to the hands and feet.
Additionally, the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the heart muscle can also lead to abnormalities in the heart’s electrical conduction system, causing the heart to beat irregularly or too slowly. This can further reduce the amount of blood reaching the extremities, leading to cold hands and feet.
Another factor that can contribute to cold hands and feet in individuals with cardiac amyloidosis is the effect of the condition on the nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls the diameter of the blood vessels, among other functions. In individuals with cardiac amyloidosis, the autonomic nervous system can become damaged due to the deposition of amyloid fibrils in nerve tissue. This can result in an imbalance in the regulation of blood vessel diameter, leading to constriction of the blood vessels in the hands and feet and reduced blood flow.
Cold hands and feet can also be a symptom of other conditions that may coexist with cardiac amyloidosis, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon or peripheral vascular disease.
Cold hands and feet are a common symptom of cardiac amyloidosis, caused by a combination of factors related to reduced blood flow to the extremities. These factors include the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the small blood vessels, abnormalities in the heart’s electrical conduction system, and damage to the autonomic nervous system. Individuals with cardiac amyloidosis who experience cold hands and feet should discuss their symptoms with their healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment options. (10)
