Cardiac Enzyme StudiesTest Overview
Cardiac enzyme studies measure the levels of the
enzyme creatine phosphokinase (CPK, CK) and the
protein troponin (TnI, TnT) in the blood. Low levels
of these enzymes and proteins are normally found in your blood, but if your
heart muscle is injured, such as from a
heart attack, the enzymes and proteins leak out of
damaged heart muscle cells, and their levels in the bloodstream rise. Because some of these enzymes and proteins are also found in other
body tissues, their levels in the blood may rise when those other tissues are
damaged. Cardiac enzyme studies must always be compared with your symptoms,
your physical examination findings, and
electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) results.
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