If you or your loved one experiences symptoms of a heart attack or suspect a heart condition, consulting your doctor is crucial. Lack of oxygen-rich blood supply for an extended duration can cause damage. Timely treatment can save the heart and give a second chance to live a healthy and an active life.
Doctors use several blood tests for heart attack to establish if a heart attack has occurred, how much your heart is damaged, and the stage of the coronary artery disease you may have.
These tests help doctors provide you with the necessary treatment and recommend lifestyle changes to help improve your heart condition and prevent a heart attack in the future.
Here’s a list of blood tests for heart attack that doctors use to diagnose your heart condition and determine a heart attack.
Tests for heart attack
1. Cholesterol test or lipid panel test:
This blood test for heart attack is part of a routine health check up. It helps check for fatty deposits in your arteries or narrowed arteries. Your doctor will recommend this test if you are overweight or have a family history of heart disease.
This test checks for the following fats in your blood:
• Total cholesterol (should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 5.2 millimoles per litre (mmol/L)
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (should be less than 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L)
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (over 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L in men and over 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L in women)
• Triglycerides (less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L); non-HDL cholesterol
2. C-reactive protein (CRP):
This is a simple blood test that your doctor will advise to check for your risk of heart disease.
CRP is a protein that the liver makes in response to injury or infection. A CRP level above 2.0 milligrams per litre (mg/L) indicates a higher risk of heart disease.
3. Plasma ceramides test:
This is a blood test for heart attack that measures the levels of ceramides in the blood. Ceramides play an important role in the growth and functioning of tissues.
Higher levels of ceramides are indicative of a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Natriuretic peptides:
This test is ordered if you are diagnosed with heart failure. It helps check the severity of your condition and determine the plan of treatment.
Also called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), it is a protein that the heart and blood vessels make to help the body eliminate fluids and move sodium into the urine. This is another effective blood test for heart attack.
5. Troponin T:
This blood test for heart attack is advised if you have chest pain or if your chest pain (angina) is getting worse, and to check for signs of a heart attack.
Troponin T is a protein that is made in the heart muscle. Measuring troponin T using a high-sensitivity troponin T test can help diagnose a heart attack and determine the risk of heart disease. An increased level of troponin T is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
6. Cardiac enzyme test:
This is another important blood test for heart attack. It is recommended if you have symptoms of a heart condition, such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing, dizziness or nausea.
It measures specific biomarkers in the blood. It is also referred to as heart attack enzyme test. High levels of cardiac enzymes may indicate a heart attack or heart disease.
Other tests for heart disease
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG): This test helps record the heart’s electrical activity, rate, and rhythm.
• Exercise cardiac stress test: It helps assess the heart’s response to physical stress.
• Echocardiogram: It helps identify the area in the heart that has been damaged.
• Nuclear stress test: This test helps determine the blood flow.
• Cardiac CT scan: This test is used for calcium scoring and Coronary CT angiography to check for plaque buildup in coronary arteries
• Coronary catheter angiography: This test helps evaluate if arteries are narrowed or blocked.
Conclusion
Regular cardiovascular screening is crucial as it helps detect risk factors in the early stages. Blood tests for heart attack help your doctor determine your heart condition and prescribe an ideal treatment. Consult your family physician at the earliest if you observe symptoms of a heart condition. Follow a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Incorporate a fitness routine in your daily schedule. Keep a close watch on your blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure.
One of the most important things your doctor would recommend is quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.
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FAQs
1. Is there a quick test for a heart attack?
The Troponin blood test for heart attack is among the fastest tests for a suspected heart attack. Troponin is a protein released into the blood when the heart muscle is damaged.
2. Can I get a heart attack test at home?
Comprehensive home tests for a heart attack are yet to be popularised. Signs of a heart attack include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw, and shortness of breath. Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness are other signs one may be experiencing. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your physician immediately or get a blood test for heart attack.
3. Can ECG rule out a heart attack?
An ECG shows a heart attack in progress or if you had one earlier. The patterns on the ECG can help determine which part of the heart has been damaged by the attack.
