Table of contents:
- Definition of cardiac enzyme tests
- What is a cardiac enzyme test?
- When is this examination required?
- Precautions & warnings before cardiac enzyme testing
- The process of examining cardiac enzymes
- What should be done before undergoing cardiac enzyme tests?
- How is the process of checking heart enzymes?
- What should be done after undergoing cardiac enzyme tests?
- Explanation of the results of the cardiac enzyme test
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Definition of cardiac enzyme tests
What is a cardiac enzyme test?
Cardiac enzyme tests are performed to measure the levels of enzymes and proteins associated with injury to the heart muscle. These include the enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and troponin I (TnI) and troponin T (TnT) proteins.
These enzymes and proteins are normally found in your blood and at low levels. However, if your heart muscle is injured, such as due to a heart attack, enzymes and proteins will be released from the damaged heart muscle cells and their levels will increase in the bloodstream.
Since some of these enzymes and proteins are also found in other body tissues, their levels in the blood will increase when the tissue is damaged.
This examination should always be compared with your symptoms, the results of the physical examination, and electrocardiography or EKG and echocardiography or ECG.
When is this examination required?
You may have to live ardiac enzyme test, if you are suspected of having a heart attack or have recently had a heart attack. In addition, this examination may be done if you have symptoms of blocked arteries.
The symptoms you may experience are:
- Chest or chest pain feels like pressure for several minutes.
- Pain or discomfort in the shoulder, neck, arm, or jaw.
- Chest pain that gets worse with time.
- Chest pain that doesn't get better even after resting or taking nitroglycerin drugs.
Other symptoms that may accompany chest pain include:
- Sweating, chills, and skin looks pale.
- Hard to breathe.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness or feeling like passing out.
- The body feels weak and very tired.
- Abnormal heart rate.
If you experience the symptoms mentioned, the doctor may suggest undergoing a cardiac enzyme test to determine the patient's health condition.
Precautions & warnings before cardiac enzyme testing
However, in fact not everyone is allowed or advised to undergo cardiac enzyme tests.
The University of Michigan lists several reasons why some people are discouraged from taking this test, or test results have not helped doctors find the desired diagnosis. Some of these reasons, including:
- History of certain diseases, such as hypothyroidism, muscular dystrophy, certain autoimmune diseases, and Reye's syndrome.
- Other heart conditions, such as myocarditis and some forms of cardiomyopathy.
- Emergency measures to treat heart problems, such as CPR, cardioversion or defibrillation.
- Use of drugs, especially injection into the muscle (IM injection).
- Take cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins).
- Heavy alcohol use.
- Just did some strenuous exercise.
- Kidney injury.
- Recently had surgery or a serious injury.
The process of examining cardiac enzymes
What should be done before undergoing cardiac enzyme tests?
No special preparation is required before taking this test. However, given that many medications can affect the results of this test, be sure to tell your doctor of all prescription / nonprescription drugs you are taking.
In addition, talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about the need for the test, the risks, the process of being administered, or the purpose of the test results.
How is the process of checking heart enzymes?
You will undergo this process of examining heart enzymes with the help of medical personnel who are in charge of drawing your blood. The steps that will be taken are as follows:
- Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel.
- Clean the area to be injected with alcohol.
- Inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
- Attach the tube to the syringe to fill it with blood.
- Unbundle your arm when enough blood is drawn.
- Attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete.
- Apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on.
What should be done after undergoing cardiac enzyme tests?
After undergoing a cardiac enzyme test, your upper arm will be wrapped around an elastic band. This causes the upper arm to feel tight.
Even so, you may not feel anything when you get the injection, or you may feel like you are stung or pinched. If you have questions related to this test process, please consult your doctor for a better understanding.
Explanation of the results of the cardiac enzyme test
Values and units for cardiac enzyme test report results vary. Normal scores on this list (called references range) only serves as a guide or reference for the test results that you will receive later.
Range this varies from laboratory to laboratory, and your laboratory may have different normal scores. How much your lab report will usually contain range they use.
Your doctor will also check your test results based on your health condition and other factors. This means if the test results go to range abnormal in this manual, either in the laboratory where this test is performed or for the condition that you are experiencing, the score is assigned to range normal.
Troponin normal score:
- TnI: less than 0.35 microgram per liter (mcg / L).
- TnT: less than 0.2 mcg / L.
- CK-MB ((creatine kinase-myocardial band) normal value: 0-3 micrograms per liter (mcg / L).
Depending on the laboratory of your choice, the normal range of cardiac enzyme tests may vary. Discuss any questions you have about your medical test results with your doctor.
