Recruiting

Custom Exercise Training for Heart Disease from Protein Buildup

Plain-English translation of NCT05797857 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a personalized 12-week exercise program can help people with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis — a rare heart condition caused by abnormal protein buildup — improve their strength, aerobic fitness, and quality of life. Many patients with this condition are already taking tafamidis, a medication that slows disease progression, but nothing has been proven to actually improve how much exercise people can do. Researchers believe that targeted exercise training might strengthen muscles and improve heart function in ways the medication alone cannot.

People with this type of heart disease often feel weak and unable to exercise, which severely limits their daily activities and quality of life. While the medication helps slow the disease, it doesn't restore the ability to be physically active — so researchers want to see if a carefully designed exercise program can make a real difference.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (confirmed by biopsy or specific imaging)
you have heart failure symptoms and have needed water pills or have elevated heart failure markers
you are currently taking tafamidis
you can walk at least 4 meters, with or without a walker or cane
you are physically stable enough to safely participate in exercise testing and training, as judged by your doctor

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had a recent heart attack
you have severe blockages in your heart arteries or severe valve disease
you are already doing formal cardiac exercise classes or exercising moderately to vigorously for more than 30 minutes at least twice per week
you have a pacemaker or defibrillator that cannot be adjusted for exercise, or if you have nerve damage from the amyloidosis protein
you have advanced kidney disease, a recent organ transplant, or another serious illness expected to be life-threatening within one year

What participation looks like

Participants will undergo exercise testing to measure their current fitness level and muscle strength, then complete 12 weeks of supervised, personalized exercise training at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The program is tailored to each person's individual needs and abilities. At the end, participants will repeat the fitness testing to see if the training improved their aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and overall quality of life.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 28, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts