В Южном Сассексе запущена первая в регионе программа ранней диагностики кардиоамилоидоза

Patients are set to benefit from earlier diagnosis and treatment of a little-known heart condition through a new scheme. University Hospitals Sussex (UHSussex) has launched the region’s first formal programme to identify, test and treat cardiac amyloidosis, a disease caused by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the heart. The condition is believed to affect thousands living with heart failure in the UK but is frequently missed because its symptoms—breathlessness, fatigue and swelling—resemble ageing or more common heart problems. Dr Rebecca Godfrey, Cardiology Registrar and Cardiomyopathy Research Fellow at University Hospitals Sussex, said: "This initiative is making local diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis accessible to many more patients across Sussex. "For the first time, people living with the condition can have a diagnosis made locally and be offered a remote consultation with the National Amyloidosis Centre in London to receive treatment. "This means they no longer need to travel to access treatment, which is key because the disease disproportionately affects older people, many of which are too frail to travel." Supported by a £24,900 grant from Pfizer, the programme introduces a standardised clinical pathway to speed up diagnosis and give patients earlier access to specialist care. Read more: - New 24/7 mental health emergency department planned - Shock for health campaigners over names and addresses data breach - Sussex village named among top places for healthy life expectancy It will increase screening of at-risk individuals, improve clinical education and strengthen links with tertiary centres. The initiative is led by Dr Godfrey and supported by multidisciplinary teams across the trust. Dr Alexander Liu, consultant cardiologist and grant awardee at UHSussex, said: "Cardiac amyloidosis is under-recognised as its symptoms are often not specific and can be easily mistaken for other conditions. "Diagnosis may also be delayed if the condition is only suspected as a potential cause once imaging tests show visible signs of damage to the heart." He added that the programme aims to "bring access to specialist care closer for our patients in Sussex, making the clinical journey from developing signs and symptoms to accessing regional and national specialist care smoother." Cardiac amyloidosis is particularly prevalent among older adults and under-represented groups, including African and Caribbean communities and is believed to be widely underdiagnosed.