About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Cardiac Markers Test
Introduction
Cardiac markers are substances released into the blood when the heart is under stress or when there is damage to the heart muscle. These markers help doctors diagnose heart conditions, particularly heart attacks (myocardial infarction).
Key Cardiac Markers and Their Importance
1. Troponins (Troponin I and Troponin T)
- The most specific and sensitive markers for heart damage.
- Levels rise within 3-6 hours after heart injury and remain elevated for up to 10 days.
2. Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- An older marker for heart damage, but less specific than troponins.
- Rises within 4-6 hours and returns to normal in about 2-3 days.
3. Myoglobin
- Rises very quickly (within 1-2 hours) after a heart attack but is not heart-specific—as skeletal muscle injury can also elevate myoglobin levels.
4. Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP
- Used to assess heart failure rather than heart attacks.
- Higher levels indicate worsening heart function.
When Are Cardiac Markers Tested?
- When a patient has symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or other signs of a heart attack.
- Monitoring heart damage after surgery or a cardiovascular event.
- Diagnosing conditions like heart failure (BNP test).
Limitations and Interpretation
- False positives : Some conditions like kidney disease or muscle injury can elevate certain markers even without a heart attack.
- Timing matters : Some markers rise early (like myoglobin), while others take longer (like troponin).
What Can You Do?
- If you experience chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.
- Maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, a balanced diet, and control of risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.
By understanding how cardiac markers work, you can better understand your heart health and the importance of early diagnosis.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cardiac Biomarkers
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000490
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2015/02/09/13/00/Cardiac-Biomarkers-and-Heart-Failure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.117.005852
- https://www.heart.org/en/-/media/Files/Affiliates/MWA/North-Dakota/North-Dakota-Stroke-Cardiac-Conference/Cardiac-Biomarker-History-Characterization-of-Troponin-Assays-Impact-on-Cardiac-Care-Sep-13-2023.pdf?sc_lang=en
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24222018/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Myocardial Infarction
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-Coronary-Syndromes-ACS-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/38/3720/7243210
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Fourth-Universal-Definition-of-Myocardial-Infarction
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/2/119/4095042
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28886621/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.