Troponin I, Serum

Troponin testing is done to diagnose a heart attack and rule out conditions which present with similar signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Though the concentrations of troponin I and troponin T are different, either of the tests can be performed as they provide the same information. Troponin I and troponin T are proteins which are found in the cardiac muscle. When there is damage to the cardiac muscles Troponin I and troponin Tare released into the blood. Troponin tests are also used to evaluate people for heart injury due to causes other than a heart attack, helps to distinguish chest pain that may be due to other causes, and to evaluate the progress of angina. Troponin tests are usually ordered along with other Cardiac markers like CK-MB or Myoglobin. However, troponin tests are the preferred test if suspecting a heart attack as they are more specific for cardiac injury than any other tests and remain elevated for a longer duration. High-sensitivity troponin (hs-troponin) test detects the same protein that the standard troponin tests do, but at much minute quantities. As this test is more sensitive, it becomes positive sooner and may detect acute coronary syndrome and cardiac injury much earlier than the standard test. The hs-troponin test may also be positive in stable angina patients and even asymptomatic patients. When hs-troponin test is elevated in these individuals, it indicates an increased risk of future heart attacks.

1. What is a heart attack?

Heart attack means that some of the cardiac muscle tissue is severely injured or has died. It is called myocardial infarction in medical terminology. The general term for this condition is acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as it is not always possible to determine whether it is a serious injury or an infarction.The signs and symptoms of a heart attack begin with a sensation of heavy pressure or pain in the chest, often radiating to the neck or left arm. A person may experience difficulty in breathing, weakness and cold sweats.

A heart attack occurs usually due to blockage of one of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that bring blood to your heart). The blockage is usually due to atherosclerosis which occurs gradually over many years as lipid plaques are deposited along the walls of the blood vessels. These lipid plaques can narrow and stiffen the arteries and result in unexpected rupture unexpectedly.

2. Does a chest pain, always mean a heart attack?

Chest pain can be caused due to many other problems such as heartburn, other problems involving the stomach and esophagus, emotional stress and lung problems. Rarely chest pain may be due to temporary heart spasms and is called variant angina. Variant angina ususlly occur at night when a person is at rest. It can cause severe but temporary pain. If the chest pain lasts longer, even at rest, immediate medical attention is required.

3. What is a high-sensitivity troponin (hs-troponin) test?

High-sensitivity troponin (hs-troponin) test detects the same protein that the standard troponin tests do, but at much minute quantities. As this test is more sensitive, it becomes positive sooner and may detect acute coronary syndrome and cardiac injury much earlier than the standard test. The hs-troponin test may also be positive in stable angina patients and even asymptomatic patients. When hs-troponin test is elevated in these individuals, it indicates an increased risk of future heart attacks.