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Troponins are protein molecules that are released into the bloodstream when the heart muscle is damaged due to a heart attack or serious heart disease. Troponin testing is often done to diagnose a heart attack or other conditions that can cause heart damage
Troponins are proteins that are part of cardiac and skeletal muscles. This protein consists of troponin I, troponin T, and troponin C. The more damage there is in the heart, the greater the amount of troponin T and troponin I in the blood.
Relation between Troponins and Heart Attack
In he althy people, troponin levels in the blood are generally undetectable because their amounts are very low. Therefore, even the slightest increase in troponin levels can indicate damage to the heart muscle.
When a person's blood levels of troponin experience a high increase, this can be a sign that the person is having a heart attack.
If a person has a heart attack, troponin levels in their blood usually rise 2–6 hours after damage to the heart muscle occurs. Within 12 hours, troponin levels in the blood will rise even higher. Troponin levels may remain high for 1-2 weeks after a heart attack occurs.
In people with angina pectoris, troponin examination is usually done if the symptoms of chest pain are getting worse. If you find an increase in troponin levels, this indicates a worsening heart condition and a high risk of becoming a heart attack.
Other Conditions That Can Increase Troponin Levels
In addition to a heart attack, high levels of troponin in the blood can also occur due to the following factors:
- Extremely fast and abnormal heart rate
- Prolonged exercise, such as a marathon
- Injury that injures the heart, such as a car accident
- Congestive heart failure
- pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries
- pulmonary embolism, which is blockage of the pulmonary arteries by blood clots, fat, or tumor cells
- Myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle which is usually caused by a virus
- Cardiomyopathy or weakening of the heart muscle
- Chronic kidney disease
- Side effects after medical procedures, such as cardiac angioplasty, heart surgery, electroshock therapy to the heart, to heart ablation
The troponin test is usually done when a person is suspected of having symptoms of a heart attack. Some of the symptoms that need to be recognized are as follows:
- Chest pain that feels like tightness, squeezing, or pressure
- Chest pain that radiates from chest to arms, jaw, neck, back, and stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness and cold sweat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Coughing or wheezing
If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms, it is recommended that you go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital to get help and early treatment.
As an effort to prevent heart attacks, start implementing a he althy lifestyle from now on to maintain heart he alth, especially if you already have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
If necessary, consult a doctor to find out the condition of your heart and get doctor's advice on tips that can be done to prevent disease or heart attack.
