Overview
Wild type ATTR amyloidosis (also called ATTRwt amyloidosis, formerly known as senile cardiac amyloidosis or senile systemic amyloidosis) is a condition in which a normal (non-mutated) protein called transthyretin becomes unstable, misfolds, and builds up as abnormal deposits called amyloid in body tissues, especially the heart. Unlike hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, this form is not caused by a genetic mutation — the transthyretin protein itself is normal ("wild type"), but it still misfolds over time, particularly with aging. The amyloid deposits gradually stiffen the heart muscle, leading to a type of heart failure called restrictive cardiomyopathy. Patients often experience shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, fatigue, and difficulty exercising. Many people also develop carpal tunnel syndrome — sometimes years before heart symptoms appear. Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and low blood pressure are also common. Wild type ATTR amyloidosis predominantly affects older men, typically over the age of 65. The treatment landscape has improved significantly in recent years. Tafamidis (brand names Vyndaqel and Vyndamax) is an FDA-approved medication that stabilizes the transthyretin protein and slows disease progression. Supportive treatments include diuretics to manage fluid buildup and careful management of heart rhythm problems. Early diagnosis is increasingly possible through specialized heart imaging techniques, which has improved outcomes for many patients.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Shortness of breath, especially with activitySwelling in the legs, ankles, or feetFatigue and low energyDifficulty exercising or reduced staminaCarpal tunnel syndrome (numbness or tingling in the hands)Irregular or abnormal heart rhythmsDizziness or lightheadedness when standing upLow blood pressureThickened heart muscle seen on imagingSpinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal causing back or leg pain)Biceps tendon ruptureUnexplained weight lossDifficulty lying flat due to breathlessnessNausea or loss of appetite
Clinical phenotype terms (32)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Late onset
Begins later in life, typically after age 50
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsRegion Skane — NA
Kotyora Family Medicine Health Management and Education Association — NA
University Hospital, Lille
Sharmila Dorbala — PHASE3
Medical University of Vienna
Richmond Research Institute — NA
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — NA
Gérond'if
Centro Cardiologico Monzino
Weill Medical College of Cornell University — PHASE4
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableAMVUTTRA
Treatment of the cardiomyopathy of wild-type or hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) in adults to reduce cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospitalizations and urgent heart f…
Treatment of the cardiomyopathy of wild-type or hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) in adults to reduce cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospitalizations and urgent heart failure visits. Expanded approval March 20, 2025.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
3 resourcesTegsedi
Ionis/AstraZeneca
Tegsedi Patient Support (AZ&Me)
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Wild type ATTR amyloidosis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Wild type ATTR amyloidosis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: A Multicenter Study on Atrioventricular Regurgitation in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy: Definition, Prevalence, and Prognostic Impact.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Wild type ATTR amyloidosis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How advanced is the amyloid involvement in my heart, and what is my current heart function?,Am I a candidate for tafamidis or acoramidis, and how do I access these medications?,Has genetic testing confirmed that this is the wild type form and not hereditary ATTR amyloidosis?,What medications should I avoid because of my condition?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,How often should I have follow-up imaging and blood tests to monitor my heart?,Should I be referred to a specialized amyloidosis center?
Common questions about Wild type ATTR amyloidosis
What is Wild type ATTR amyloidosis?
Wild type ATTR amyloidosis (also called ATTRwt amyloidosis, formerly known as senile cardiac amyloidosis or senile systemic amyloidosis) is a condition in which a normal (non-mutated) protein called transthyretin becomes unstable, misfolds, and builds up as abnormal deposits called amyloid in body tissues, especially the heart. Unlike hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, this form is not caused by a genetic mutation — the transthyretin protein itself is normal ("wild type"), but it still misfolds over time, particularly with aging. The amyloid deposits gradually stiffen the heart muscle, leading to a
How is Wild type ATTR amyloidosis inherited?
Wild type ATTR amyloidosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Wild type ATTR amyloidosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Wild type ATTR amyloidosis is late onset. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Wild type ATTR amyloidosis?
Yes — 13 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Wild type ATTR amyloidosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Wild type ATTR amyloidosis?
9 specialists and care centers treating Wild type ATTR amyloidosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Wild type ATTR amyloidosis?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Wild type ATTR amyloidosis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.