Complete Understanding Of Cardiac Enzyme Test
What do you mean by a Cardiac enzyme test?
This is a test to determine if a person is currently having a heart attack or has recently had an ischemic episode. If you go to the hospital emergency room with chest pain, they will have blood samples and check heart enzymes two or three times over hours to see if you are having a heart attack.
Why should you take it?
A heart attack damages the heart muscle and this releases certain enzymes into the blood, such as:
- Creatine phosphokinase
- Myoglobin and Troponin Proteins
Sometimes an ischemic or silent heart attack can occur with no apparent external symptoms. If it goes unnoticed and untreated, it can lead to a stronger and more serious episode. Having an EKG along with a cardiac enzyme test can help you take medical precautions, change your lifestyle, and reduce risk factors for coronary artery disease.
How is it done?
A heart enzyme test is similar to any other blood test. The blood collection usually only takes a few minutes. You will be asked to roll up your shirt sleeve (if necessary) and the blood draw nurse will wipe the area where the needle will be inserted with an alcohol swab. A rubber tube may be tied to the upper arm or you may be asked to make a fist so the veins stick out better and are more accessible.
A needle attached to a small tube will be inserted into your vein and blood will begin to flow through the tube. When a sample suitable for the test is collected, the needle will be withdrawn and you may be asked to apply pressure at the puncture site. This pressure helps stop the bleeding from the small injection site. A bandage is then applied to the injection site.
Your blood sample will then be sent to laboratory technicians for analysis. Your blood test will tell you when to expect the results.
What do the results of a heart enzyme test mean?
Usually, the levels of the above enzymes and proteins in the body are so low that they cannot be detected. If a person's heart enzyme test shows positive for these enzymes, it is likely a heart attack or damage to the heart.
A doctor can first use a heart enzyme test to determine whether a heart attack has occurred. They can also assess the extent of the damage caused by a heart attack. In general, the more troponin there is in the blood, the more damaged the heart is.
Sometimes a heart enzyme test can return to normal if the test is done soon after heart injury. Usually, your doctor will repeat the heart enzyme test a few hours later to get the exact result.
It is advisable to follow your doctor's advice and have this test done to make sure you haven't had an episode or to treat the condition before it becomes a problem. You can contact Harleypathlabs experts to get your Cardiac Enzyme Test test done.
