About-Cardio
-
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 High-Sensitivity Troponin (hs-TnT)
Introduction
Troponin is a protein found in heart muscle cells that helps regulate contraction. When heart muscle cells are damaged, troponin is released into the bloodstream. Measuring troponin levels is a key tool for diagnosing heart attacks and other cardiac conditions.
What is High-Sensitivity Troponin (hs-TnT)?
High-sensitivity troponin tests (such as hs-TnT) are advanced versions of traditional troponin tests. These tests can detect very low levels of troponin in the blood much earlier than standard tests, often within a few hours of heart muscle injury.
When is hs-TnT Used?
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction) Diagnosis : A rising and/or falling pattern of hs-TnT levels can indicate an acute heart attack.
- Risk Assessment : Even low but persistent levels of hs-TnT in the blood are associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular events.
- Heart Failure and Other Diseases : Elevated hs-TnT levels can also be seen in conditions like heart failure, kidney disease, and severe infections.
How are the Results Interpreted?
- Normal (Undetectable or Very Low Levels) : Unlikely to have significant myocardial damage.
- Slightly Elevated : Possible chronic heart disease, kidney disease, or other conditions.
- Significantly Elevated with Dynamic Changes : Suggests an acute heart attack or cardiac injury.
Limitations and Other Factors
- Other conditions like sepsis, kidney disease, and extreme exercise can also raise hs-TnT levels without a heart attack.
- Serial measurements are necessary for accurate diagnosis, rather than relying on a single test.
Summary
High-sensitivity troponin (hs-TnT) is a crucial biomarker for early detection of heart injury and assessing cardiac risk. A high value alone does not confirm a heart attack—you need to analyze trends in levels and consider clinical symptoms.
Source recommendations
1. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on the Management of 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://sochicar.cl/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ehad191.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320110/
2. American College of Cardiology (ACC) Guidelines on Troponin Testing
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2017/08/07/07/46/A-Brief-Review-of-Troponin-Testing-for-Clinicians
- https://cvquality.acc.org/docs/default-source/acc-accreditation/accreditation-resources/troponin_brochure_2017.pdf
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/07/14/18/12/High-Sensitivity-CTn-and-2021-Chest-Pain
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.122.059678
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.08.750
-
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.
Always up-to-date information
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.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
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.
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.