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.
Cardiac Panel Test: What You Need to Know
Introduction
A cardiac panel test is a set of blood tests that help diagnose heart-related conditions, particularly acute coronary syndromes (such as heart attacks) and other cardiac issues. These tests measure specific biomarkers in the blood that indicate heart damage or stress.
Key Components of a Cardiac Panel Test
1. Troponin (Troponin I or Troponin T)
- The most specific biomarker for heart muscle injury.
- Levels rise within hours of a heart attack and remain elevated for days.
- Gold standard for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
2. Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- An enzyme found in the heart muscle.
- Rises within 4-6 hours of heart damage and normalizes within 2-3 days.
- Less specific than troponin but still useful in certain cases.
3. Myoglobin
- A protein released from damaged muscle tissue.
- Rises quickly (within 2-3 hours after heart damage) but is not specific to the heart.
4. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) or N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP)
- Biomarkers used to assess heart failure.
- Higher levels indicate worsening heart function.
5. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)
- Indicators of inflammation that can suggest an increased risk for heart disease.
When is a Cardiac Panel Test Needed?
- Acute chest pain, suspicion of a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart failure symptoms.
- After cardiac procedures to monitor heart muscle condition.
- Assessment of cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients.
What Do the Results Mean?
- Elevated Troponin Levels → Possible heart attack or other heart muscle injury.
- Increased BNP/NT-proBNP → Possible heart failure.
- Elevated CK-MB with Troponin Normal → Muscle damage other than heart-related.
- Elevated hs-CRP → Increased cardiovascular disease risk.
Conclusion
A cardiac panel test is crucial for detecting heart conditions early and guiding emergency treatment. If you experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained fatigue, consult a healthcare provider immediately.
Additional Information
For further guidance, refer to the latest clinical recommendations from major cardiology organizations.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines on Acute Coronary Syndromes
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000134
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001029
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/acute-coronary-syndrome
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25260718/
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on Acute Coronary Syndromes
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-Coronary-Syndromes-ACS-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/38/3720/7243210
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37622654/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/14/1289/5898842
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320110/
3. ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001029
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2021/10/27/14/06/2021-Guideline-for-Chest-Pain-gl_chestpain
- https://www.jacc.org/guidelines/chest-pain
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34709879/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2021-guideline-for-the-evaluation-and-diagnosis-of-chest-pain
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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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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.