Patient education: Troponin test (The Basics)

What is a troponin test? — A troponin test is a type of blood test. Troponin is a protein found in the cells in the heart. It plays an important role in helping the heart muscle contract. When the heart muscle is damaged, troponin leaks out of the cells in the heart and into the blood.

Why might I get a troponin test? — Doctors most often use troponin tests to find out if you are having or recently had a heart attack (figure 1). Symptoms of a heart attack include (figure 2):

●Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest

●Pain, tingling, or discomfort in other parts of the upper body, including the shoulders, arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

●Feeling short of breath

●Nausea, vomiting, burping, or heartburn

●Sweating or cold, clammy skin

●Fast or uneven heartbeat

●Feeling dizzy or like you are going to pass out

You might need to get blood taken for testing a few times, over 3 to 12 hours. This helps your doctor see if your troponin levels are changing.

Troponin tests can also be used to check for other problems with the heart.

If your doctor thinks that you are having a heart attack, you will get other tests too, including an "electrocardiogram" ("ECG"). This test records your heart rate (how fast it beats) and rhythm. You will also wear a special monitor while you are in the hospital.

What do my results mean? — You will stay in the hospital or emergency department until your results are available. While you are there, you will get other tests to try to find out if something is wrong.

If your troponin test or ECG shows signs of a heart attack, your doctor or nurse will tell you what to do next. A doctor that specializes in the heart, called a "cardiologist," will help with your treatment. You will stay in the hospital while you are being treated.

Sometimes, a high troponin level is not related to a heart attack or other heart problem. Certain conditions, like chronic kidney disease or COVID-19, can cause high troponin levels, too.

More on this topic

Patient education: Heart attack (The Basics)
Patient education: Chest pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Coronary artery disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Coronary artery disease in women (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines after a heart attack (The Basics)
Patient education: What can go wrong after a heart attack? (The Basics)
Patient education: Heart attack recovery (The Basics)
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Patient education: ECG and stress test (The Basics)
Patient education: Echocardiogram (The Basics)
Patient education: High cholesterol (The Basics)
Patient education: Nuclear heart testing (The Basics)
Patient education: Stenting for the heart (The Basics)
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Patient education: Heart attack (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Heart attack recovery (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Stenting for the heart (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (Beyond the Basics)