A troponin test measures the levels troponin T or troponin I proteins in the blood. These proteins are launched when the heart muscle has been harmed, such as occurs with a cardiac arrest. The more damage there is to the heart, the greater the quantity of troponin T and I there will remain in the blood.
Alternative Names of tropolin test are TroponinI; TnI; TroponinT; TnT; Cardiac-specific troponin I; Cardiac-specific troponin T; cTnl; cTnT.
Troponin Test Preparation and Procedure
A blood sample is needed. How to prepare for the test? No special steps are needed to prepare, the majority of the time.
How the Test will Feel
You might feel small pain or a sting when the needle is placed. You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn.
Why a Troponin Test is Performed
The most common reason to perform this test is to see if a cardiovascular disease has taken place. Your healthcare provider will order this test if you have chest pain and other signs of a cardiac arrest. The test is generally repeated two more times over the next 6 to 24 hours.
Your service provider may also purchase this test if you have angina that is worsening, but no other signs of a cardiovascular disease. (Angina is chest pain thought to be from a part of your heart not getting enough blood flow.)
The troponin test may also be done to assist discover and assess other causes of heart injury.
The test may be done along with other cardiac marker tests, such as CPK isoenzymes or myoglobin.
Troponin Test Normal Levels
Cardiac troponin levels are typically so low they can not be spotted with a lot of blood tests.
Having normal troponin levels 12 hours after chest pain has actually begun indicates a cardiovascular disease is not likely.
A normal worth range might differ a little amongst various laboratories. Some laboratories use different measurements or test different samples. Likewise, some labs have various cutoff points for “normal” and “likely myocardial infarction.” Talk with your provider about the meaning of your specific test outcomes.
What Does Elevated Troponin Level Mean
Even a small increase in the troponin level will often suggest there has actually been some damage to the heart. Extremely high levels of troponin are a sign that a cardiovascular disease has occurred.
A lot of patients who have actually had a cardiovascular disease have increased troponin levels within 6 hours. After 12 hours, practically everybody who has had a cardiovascular disease will have raised levels.
Troponin levels may remain high for 1 to 2 weeks after a heart attack.
Increased troponin levels may likewise be due to:
- Abnormally fast heart beat.
- Hypertension in lung arteries (lung hypertension).
- Clog of a lung artery by an embolism, fat, or tumor cells (pulmonary embolus).
- Heart disease.
- Coronary artery convulsion.
- Swelling of the heart muscle normally due to an infection (myocarditis).
- Extended exercise (for example, due to marathons or triathlons).
- Trauma that injures the heart, such as a car accident.
- Weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
- Long-lasting kidney disease.
Increased troponin levels may likewise arise from certain medical treatments such as:
- Heart angioplasty/stenting.
- Heart defibrillation or electrical cardioversion (purposeful shocking of the heart by medical personnel to fix an unusual heart rhythm).
- Open heart surgery.
- Radiofrequency ablation of the heart.
| Troponin Level Range (ng/L)* | Indication | Doctor’s Orders |
|---|---|---|
| <14 | Normal (unlikely heart damage) | No specific action; routine care |
| 14-50 | Borderline or uncertain | Further testing; possible monitoring or medications |
| >50 | May indicate heart damage | Further testing and diagnostic imaging |
| >100 | Highly suggestive of heart attack | Immediate treatment for acute coronary syndrome |
| >1000 | Severe heart damage likely (such as a larger heart attack) | Intensive treatment/intervention, possibly urgent surgery |
