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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 Heart Marker Tests
Introduction
Heart marker tests, also known as cardiac biomarkers, are blood tests used to detect heart muscle damage and assess cardiovascular risk. These tests are crucial in diagnosing heart attacks, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions.
Key Cardiac Biomarkers
The main biomarkers measured in heart marker tests include:
- Troponins (Troponin I and Troponin T): The most sensitive markers for detecting heart muscle damage. Elevated levels indicate a possible heart attack.
- Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB): Less specific than troponin but still useful in diagnosing heart muscle injury.
- B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) & NT-proBNP: Used to assess heart failure. Higher levels suggest worsening heart function.
- Myoglobin: An early but nonspecific marker for muscle damage, including heart muscle.
- C-reactive Protein (CRP) & High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): Indicate inflammation, which is linked to heart disease risk.
- Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2): Linked to inflammation in blood vessels.
When Are These Tests Used?
Doctors order heart marker tests when a patient presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of a heart attack. They are also useful in monitoring heart disease progression and evaluating heart failure.
Interpretation of Results
- Normal levels: Low risk of heart muscle damage.
- Elevated Troponins: Suggest heart attack or severe heart strain.
- High BNP levels: Indicate heart failure.
- Increased CRP: Points to inflammation and possible cardiovascular disease.
Importance for Patients
Understanding these markers helps in early diagnosis and better management of heart conditions. If you have risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes, regular testing may help prevent complications.
Conclusion
Heart marker tests play a vital role in diagnosing and monitoring heart diseases. If you experience any heart-related symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24222018/
2. European Society of Cardiology 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/32860058/
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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:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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.