The Most Trusted Diagnostic Center For Cardiac Enzyme
A cardiac enzyme is a substance released by the heart muscle, once a person is injured. For example, it occurs when a person suffers from a serious case of angina or myocardial infarction commonly known as a heart attack. There are several cardiac enzymes and the most common one is troponin. Myocardial infarction or a heart attack can be present in several ways, one of them is chest pain, in which the release of cardiac enzymes takes place. Shortness of breath and chest pain is very common that are presented by many parents. Cardiac enzymes can be a serious problem when ignored or left untreated,
By taking a cardiac enzyme test, it helps to diagnose possible heart attack problems. It is also supported with the results of a blood test, heart tracing electrocardiogram, and ECG. Taking all these together helps you get a precise diagnosis.
What is troponin and when are cardiac enzymes measured?
Troponin is a protein, which is released from the heart cells due to being damaged. It can only be found in the heart muscle, which is used in diagnosing damage to the heart muscle. A damaged heart muscle can cause an increase of troponin level in the blood that takes place in 3 to 12 hours. It usually peaks at 24 to 48 hours and returns to normal for over 5 to 14 days. The hospital measures the troponin after 4 to 6 hours at the beginning of symptoms and takes a second test after 12 hours. The troponin level is directly related to how the heart muscle gets damaged. Thus, the higher the troponin level is the higher the heart muscle damage as well. In conclusion, the higher the heart attack level is the higher the risk of a worse outcome. Troponin can be measured in two different types from a blood sample:
- T
- I
Some of the hospitals usually measure one of the two, both types are equally sensitive. Some patients are required to get a repeat blood test several hours after the first test that results as negative. But, before the troponins, some blood tests were checked for heart muscle damage. It includes creatine kinase-MB. But, the tests were outdated by troponins.
The three cardiac enzymes
Cardiac enzymes are also called cardiac biomarkers, which are also known as:
- Myoglobin. It will be released in the circulation once muscle tissue gets damaged. Skeletal muscle is contained with myoglobin. Myoglobin has a detectable increase, which is seen 30 minutes after the injury.
- Troponin. The enzymes troponin T and troponin I are normal proteins. Both are vital in the cardiac myocyte contractile apparatus. The protein remains detectable for 10 days over. Troponin elevation has several causes not related to myocardial infarction. It is much more sensitive than myoglobin and creatine kinase. Troponin has a detectable increase between 3 and 4 hours.
- Creatine kinase. It is also called CPK or creatine phosphokinase. It is a muscle enzyme present as isoenzymes. Creatine kinase has a detectable increase between 3 and 4 hours.
Cardiac enzymes are released when myocardial necrosis occurs. For patients who are having problems with their cardiovascular system, a cardiac enzymes test is helpful to take after an injury or unwanted happenings that cause injury.