Key Information
Amyloidosis refers to a group of diseases caused by deposits of abnormal proteins, known as amyloid, in one or more organs of the body. Deposition of amyloid in the heart is known as cardiac amyloidosis or amyloid heart disease. When this occurs, the heart becomes stiff, causing fluid build-up in the lungs that leads to breathlessness and fluid buildup in soft tissues, which, in turn, leads to leg and abdominal swelling. The Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Dana-Farber Cardiac Amyloidosis Program is a unique service that focuses exclusively on this elusive and deadly condition. Our Program was established to fill a significant void in the diagnosis and treatment of systemic amyloidosis, acquire a better understanding of cardiac amyloidosis, specifically, and improve care for patients who have the disease.