South Carolina Man Managed Rare Heart Condition

An 80-year-old resident’s diagnosis highlights the importance of early detection for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Heart Disease

Gouache-painted illustration of a glass medical vial with crystalline structures inside, sitting on wood, representing health management. — Jimmy Addison of Seneca, South Carolina, manages his transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy with medication and clinical monitoring following his diagnosis, highlighting the necessity of early detection for the condition. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Jimmy Addison, an 80-year-old from Seneca, South Carolina, was diagnosed with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) after experiencing fluid retention and heart stiffening. His story illustrates the management of this condition, which historically carried a 50 percent mortality rate within three years of diagnosis.

Why it matters

ATTR-CM occurs when misfolded proteins deposit in the heart, making awareness of symptoms like fluid retention critical for residents across the state. Early intervention has become more feasible since the FDA approved the first treatment for the condition in 2019.

Medical data indicates that 3.4 percent of people with black African ancestry carry a genetic tendency to develop TTR amyloid, a protein that can cause heart stiffening. While historical mortality rates for this condition were 50 percent within three years, clinical research is ongoing.

The players

Jimmy Addison

An 80-year-old South Carolina resident who lives with diagnosed transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Dr. Daniel Judge

A physician at MUSC Health who specializes in the treatment of amyloidosis.

MUSC Health

A South Carolina healthcare system that provides specialized care for patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

The details

ATTR-CM develops when the transthyretin protein misfolds and builds up in the heart tissue, causing it to stiffen and struggle to pump. To manage his condition, Addison utilizes diuretics for fluid control and maintains a low-sodium diet alongside clinical medications that stabilize the protein. Surgeons also performed an ablation procedure to correct his ventricular tachycardia, a complication associated with his heart's structural changes.

2019 marked the FDA approval of the first drug to treat ATTR-CM.
September 9, 2020, was the date of the first virtual consultation between Addison and his physician.
October 2, 2026, is the publication date of this report.

Health Landscape

The treatment of ATTR-CM has evolved significantly since the first targeted drug was approved in 2019. Ongoing research is now shifting focus toward antibody therapies to remove existing deposits and gene-editing approaches to address the root cause of protein production.

Residents experiencing symptoms like persistent fluid retention or heart rhythm changes should discuss cardiac screening with their primary care physician. Ongoing management, such as daily weight monitoring and low-sodium intake, is essential for patients living with diagnosed heart conditions.

The takeaway

Cardiac amyloidosis requires careful, ongoing management to stabilize heart function and quality of life. Readers should note that unexplained fluid retention is a sign worth mentioning during a routine checkup with a physician.