Night sweats are a common symptom of heart disease and are often reported by people living with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).
There are several potential causes, including poor regulation of body temperature due to nerve damage, a strain on the heart as it struggles to pump blood that triggers sweating, and the side effects of medication.
What is ATTR-CM?
Transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a rare progressive disease of the heart muscle that leads to congestive heart failure. It occurs when the transthyretin protein produced by the liver is unstable. Symptoms include fatigue; shortness of breath; irregular heart rate or palpitations; swelling of the legs, ankles and stomach; brain fog; wheezing; and dizziness. It often goes underdiagnosed because of a lack of awareness and knowledge of the disease. There is currently no cure for ATTR-CM.
Here you’ll find a few tips to help manage interrupted sleep resulting from night sweats, which should also help improve quality of life and well-being in people living with ATTR-CM.
Read more about ATTR-CM signs and symptoms
Why ATTR-CM causes night sweats
There are a few reasons someone living with ATTR-CM may experience night sweats.
The buildup of faulty transthyretin proteins known as amyloid fibrils in the heart causes the heart muscle to thicken and stiffen, making it harder for the left ventricle to pump blood around the body. As the heart works harder to pump blood, the body can start to sweat to keep body temperature down.
Amyloid deposits also accumulate in the nervous system, affecting the nerves. This can lead to autonomic neuropathy, in which the nerves that control automatic body functions become damaged and impaired. This can include nerves that manage temperature control, blood pressure, bladder and sexual function, and digestion. A reduced capacity to regulate the body’s temperature can lead to sweating at night or during the day.
Medications such as beta-blockers, diuretics and pain relievers can also cause night sweats as a side effect.
The effect of night sweats
Night sweats as a symptom of ATTR-CM can significantly affect sleep quality, which in turn affects physical and emotional well-being and can cause low mood and brain fog that impairs quality of life.
Frequent night sweats can also lead to dehydration and skin irritation. Interrupted sleep and excessive sweating can result in electrolyte imbalances that cause daytime fatigue and dizziness.
How to manage night sweats
A structured approach to night sweats can help manage and reduce their occurrence in patients with ATTR-CM. Here are some suggestions.
- Create a cool, well-ventilated sleeping environment.
- Sleep in pajamas and on bedding made from natural fibers that are comfortable and breathable.
- Choose light layers of bedding so you can easily regulate your body temperature without interrupting your sleep too dramatically.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods that may trigger sweating.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Don’t exercise in the evening.
- Drink cold water before bed.
Ask your doctor about possible adjustments to your medication to help manage your night sweats.
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