6. Chest Pain: A Warning Sign of Cardiac Strain
Chest pain is another possible symptom of cardiac amyloidosis. Chest pain is often described as a feeling of pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest area. It can also radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Chest pain can be caused by various factors, including angina, heart attack, pericarditis, aortic dissection, and many others. It is essential to differentiate between different types of chest pain to determine the underlying cause.
In cardiac amyloidosis, the buildup of amyloid fibrils in the heart tissue can cause stiffness and thickening of the heart walls. This can impair the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. The chest pain associated with cardiac amyloidosis is usually caused by the reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to the stiffening of the heart walls.
The chest pain associated with cardiac amyloidosis can be chronic or acute. Chronic chest pain may be mild and occur intermittently over a prolonged period. On the other hand, acute chest pain may be severe and sudden, requiring immediate medical attention. It is essential to seek medical help immediately if you experience sudden and severe chest pain.
The management of chest pain in cardiac amyloidosis involves addressing the underlying cause. The treatment approach may vary depending on the severity of the symptoms and the extent of the amyloid buildup in the heart tissue. In mild cases, medications such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, or heart transplant may be required.
Although chest pain is a common symptom of many heart conditions, including angina and heart attack, it’s essential to seek medical attention if you experience new, persistent, or worsening chest pain. Early evaluation and intervention can improve the prognosis and management of cardiac amyloidosis and other heart diseases. (6)
