When a part of the heart is damaged during a heart attack, it releases troponin into the bloodstream.cardiac troponin A high level of troponin can tell a doctor that part of the heart muscle has been injured, but it can’t tell if it was a heart attack or something else that caused the damage. Troponin tests are usually used in the emergency room to help diagnose a heart attack or other problems that may be causing chest pain and other symptoms.
A phlebotomist (a health care worker who draws blood samples) will use a needle to take a small sample of your blood and send it to a lab for testing.cardiac troponin A new version of the test is more sensitive and can detect even smaller amounts of troponin in your blood. This can help doctors get more accurate results more quickly. The new versions of this test are also less likely to be affected by dietary supplements like vitamins B7 and C, which can make the results look lower than they actually are.
Most people who are having a heart attack have higher-than-normal levels of troponin in their blood.cardiac troponin The higher troponin levels stay in the blood for about 12 hours after the heart attack occurs. Troponin tests are very useful in the hospital when a person is having symptoms of a heart attack. Doctors will use other tests and exams, including a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram or EKG, to help them decide whether you’re having a heart attack and what treatment to give you.
Troponin tests can be used for other reasons, too.cardiac troponin They’re often done to help diagnose unstable angina, which is chest pain that happens when your heart doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. The test can also be used to follow up on heart surgery or other procedures that could cause damage to the heart. Doctors can use a version of the test that measures only troponin T (cTnT) rather than the other two types of troponin.
Your doctor can learn a lot about your heart from a troponin test alone, but it’s important to combine it with a thorough medical history and the results of other tests. A person who has had a heart attack usually has a variety of symptoms, including chest pain or discomfort, heaviness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and a racing pulse. The more symptoms a person has, the more likely it is that they’re having a heart attack.
The best way to prevent heart disease is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking can all help reduce your risk of having a heart attack. Taking medications can also be helpful, but you should talk to your doctor before taking any medicines to treat heart disease.