Blood test can determine if chest pain is heart attack

Around 188,000 people suffer heart attacks each year, far fewer than the numbers who arrive at Emergency departments suffering from chest pains.

The test measures the level of troponin proteins in the blood.

All that really matters, as per the scientists, is that sensible utilization of this blood test-known as heart troponin I-could help to securely release more patients who might ordinarily be conceded for broad cardiovascular assessments, at last prompting noteworthy expense funds in the UK.

A low concentration of troponin indicates that this is not a heart attack, which means the patient does not need emergency admission, tests and interventions – and could potentially be cared for at home.

If a person is suspected of having had a heart attack or of being at risk of a heart attack, they will usually be given a troponin test.

These proteins are released when the heart muscle has been damaged, like during a heart attack.

“This research has highlighted a quick way to rule out a heart attack in A&E”.

The authors of an accompanying editorial in the journal said patient follow-up will be needed to validate use of this test in routine practice.

For the study, the researchers measured troponin levels in more than 6,000 patients admitted to the hospital with chest pain, and assessed their risk for heart attack and death from heart attack within 30 days. Chest pain is one of the most common causes of hospitalization worldwide, with global guidelines recommending that people who complain of chest pain be admitted for extensive testing. Hence, it is important that you are aware if you are at risk of a heart attack. They found that using different criteria for a positive test improved diagnosis rates so that 1 in 5 women were diagnosed, compared with the standard test that diagnoses just 1 in 10 women.

Prof. Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the BHF, comments that a faster, more accurate diagnosis will benefit both patients and health services.

‘We want to ensure no heart attack diagnosis is missed but we equally don’t want to see people go through unnecessary tests and spend extended periods in hospital unless it is essential… Importantly, the new test needs to be performed only once.