Cardiac Enzyme Test: Everything You Need to Know
According to the American Heart Association, 90% of all cardiac arrests occurring outside of hospitals are deadly. Because the fatality rate is so high, proper and rapid cardiac arrest diagnosis and treatment are critical. A cardiac enzyme test can determine whether a person is undergoing or has already had a heart attack.
Due to a lack of oxygen, the cardiac enzyme is released into the bloodstream during cardiac arrest. The severity of a heart attack is determined by the increasing amount of cardiac enzymes (cardiac biomarkers).
Which Persons Need Cardiac Enzyme Test?
When a person’s one or more than one heart arteries are blocked, he will experience a heart attack. A heart attack’s severity will depend on the number of arteries blocked and the number of cardiac enzymes released. You need to get yourself tested immediately if you are experiencing the following symptoms.
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Extreme sweating
- Tiredness or weakness
How Is Cardiac Enzyme Test Conducted?
A heart attack enzyme test, also known as a cardiac enzyme test, is performed similarly to other blood tests. This test requires a small sample of your blood. Your blood will be drawn from you by your doctor using a tiny needle. Blood is drawn from the arm, most likely at the elbow. If the patient’s vein cannot be seen, the doctor will wrap a rubber tube around the upper end of your arm. Aside from that, he may ask you to make a fist so that your veins are easily accessible.
The needle may irritate the patient; otherwise, the test is absolutely painless. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes. You will be asked to press the site from where the blood has been taken because the pressure will stop the bleeding. Following the collection of the blood sample, it will be submitted to the lab technologist for complete analysis. Your doctor may conduct this test frequently to check the enzyme level of their patients.
The Results Indication
A cardiac enzyme test is performed in case of emergency because cardiac arrest could be fatal, so its results are also quickly generated. You will get the results as quickly as possible.
Troponins are the most prevalent and well-known heart attack enzymes that aid in the diagnosis of a heart attack. These enzymes are measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Troponin levels below 0.02 ng/mL are considered safe; however, levels beyond this level may suggest heart damage. The greater the troponins level in the blood, the more severe the cardiac injury. Although some other enzymes are also related to heart attacks, troponin will remain in circulation longer than other enzymes in the event of a heart attack.
Why Must Cardiac Enzyme Test Be Performed?
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Cardiac enzyme or biomarkers helps diagnose your doctor with different conditions and diseases linked with the heart. This test is crucial to figure out what is happening with a patient’s heart. Your doctor will probably suggest a heart enzyme test for the following reasons.
- Diagnose and screen a specific heart problem
- When a person has certain symptoms linked with a heart attack or angina
- Monitoring heart condition after heart surgery
- Check the effect of certain heart medications on patient
Other Tests to Diagnose Heart Attack
The cardiac enzyme or heart attack enzyme test is the most recognized test performed to diagnose a heart attack. But other tests are also performed for heart disorders, like the blood tests below.
- Basic or comprehensive metabolic panel (indicate the protein and electrolyte level)
- Complete blood count (CBC) (measures platelet and blood cells level)
- Blood gas test (measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acids)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Blood tests
- Coronary catheterization (angiogram)
- Cardiac CT or MRI
Cardiac Enzyme Test from a Certified Cardiac Lab
The correct and timely diagnosis of heart failure and heart attack is mandatory for quick treatment. That’s why these kinds of blood tests are performed at certified labs. ER of Watauga is a certified cardiac lab where you can get an array of blood tests. We will provide quick and accurate test results to help you get timely treatments.
A timely disease diagnosis saves precious lives!