Pacemaker signals may unmask a rare heart condition

This study explores whether the electrical signal measured by a pacemaker or defibrillator during implantation can help identify cardiac amyloidosis — a condition where abnormal proteins build up in the heart. Researchers will enroll 242 adults aged 65 and older who already need a pacemaker due to heart rhythm problems and also have thickened heart walls. Alongside standard implantation, participants will receive extra tests including a heart scan, blood work, and a small fat biopsy to confirm or rule out amyloidosis. The goal is to see if the pacemaker's readings alone can reliably flag the disease.