What is analysed with a Troponin test?
Troponin is a complex of three proteins (troponin C, troponin I, and troponin T) found in muscle cells that play an important role in muscle contraction.
Often, troponin is used as a biomarker for heart health. This is because when there is damage to the heart muscle, such as during a heart attack, troponin is released into the bloodstream.
The troponin test measures the level of troponin in the blood.
What does the result mean?
The result indicates the concentration of troponin in the blood, providing insights into the presence and extent of cardiac muscle damage.
Why conduct the analysis?
The troponin test is conducted to assess if the patient has had a heart attack and/or if there is injury to the heart muscle.
When to conduct the analysis?
The troponin test is conducted when the patient has, or has had, chest pain that may be due to a heart attack.
What sample is required?
A blood sample is required. The blood is drawn from a vein, usually in the arm.
Is any prior preparation necessary?
No specific prior preparation is necessary.
How is it performed?
The sample is sent to a laboratory, where troponin levels in the serum or plasma of the blood are measured, using immunoassay techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
What are the normal values?
The normal values are:
Troponin
Less than 10 ng/L
What does having altered values mean?
High troponin levels: Elevated troponin levels indicate cardiac muscle damage, which can occur during a heart attack or unstable angina.
Patients with chest pain and diagnosed stable angina who receive a normal troponin test result are likely to not have experienced any cardiac muscle damage.