Common Causes Of Elevated Troponin Levels: Know the Details
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Divya Rohra
Written By Meenakshi
on May 4, 2024
Last Edit Made By Meenakshi
on May 4, 2024
If you are on this blog, you must have heard about Troponin Levels and are here to gain more information about the topic.
Well, if that’s the case, you are in the right place.
Troponin is the third protein responsible for regulating the heart contractions and skeletal muscles. They are present in the blood so low that they can only be measured by the most sensitive types of tests.
But this is not it; there is more. If your heart muscle is damaged, Troponin leaks into the blood, leading to elevated Troponin Levels.
A Troponin Test is often suggested to measure and monitor your Troponin Levels, as they help diagnose heart attacks. Heart attacks block the blood flow that brings oxygen to parts of the heart muscles.
Besides helping diagnose the heart's damage, it also evaluates how much damage has been done.
In short, elevated levels mean a warning that you need to be alert and take action at the earliest.
But the question here is, what causes the levels to rise beyond the normal range? Is heart muscle damage the only reason behind the rise?
Find all the answers here in the blog. So, scroll down for more insights.
Common Causes Of Elevated Troponin Levels:
Before going ahead, it is essential to understand that both cardiac and non-cardiac conditions can contribute to elevated Troponin levels.
Let’s understand them thoroughly.
Cardiac Causes Of Elevated Troponin Levels Are:
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack):
The heart usually releases Troponin into the blood when there is some injury, such as a heart attack. If the levels are high, it often indicates that a person has recently had a heart attack.
Myocarditis:
Another common cardiac-related cause that can raise Troponin levels is myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscles, often caused by viral infections. Doctors usually suggest this test when a patient in the emergency ward presents with acute chest pain.
Heart Failure:
Some severe medical conditions that can strain the heart muscle or damage it are associated with poor heart function and can also elevate Troponin levels.
Common cardiac issues can elevate Troponin levels, but there are also some non-cardiac reasons.
Non-Cardiac Causes Of Elevated Troponin Levels:
Renal Failure:
According to the (NIH) National Institutes of Health, CKD or End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) can chronically elevate Troponin concentrations. This occurs due to increased release by injured myocytes, decreased clearance by the failing kidneys, or maybe both.
Sepsis:
It happens when an infection in which the body improperly responds to an infection. If left unmanaged for a longer period, it can lead to severe damage to organs, including the heart, leading to Troponin release.
Ischemic Stroke:
Some previous studies have shown an elevation in some acute Ischemic stroke patients, which can be due to several reasons, like direct neurogenic myocardial injury, renal insufficiency, and more.
Hypertensive Crisis:
Extremely high blood pressure is not good at all and can cause strain on the heart, leading to troponin release even when acute coronary events are absent. It is yet another reason that can cause elevated Troponin levels in the blood.
Pulmonary Embolism:
As per some studies, acute Pulmonary Embolism (PE) can increase Troponin levels in the blood. According to the NIH, the prevalence of elevated Troponin in PE patients is around 56%.
Elevated levels, whether due to cardiac or non-cardiac issues, can be a cause of concern. Therefore, prompt action is essential to ensure effective management before things turn ugly.
Is there any way that can help maintain normal Troponin levels?
Even if a small presence of Troponin in the blood indicates some damage to the heart, here are some ways to help you maintain and manage them well.
Treat The Underlying Cause:
Treating the underlying cause of elevated Troponin levels in the blood is the most effective way to manage it. It will bring balance and generally improve your overall cardiovascular health.
Take Prescribed Medicines:
Your doctor may put you on some medication to ensure that levels remain in balance. Therefore, completing the course and taking appropriate measures is essential.
Other than that, there may be some lifestyle changes that the doctor may suggest, such as:
Healthy Diet:
While no proven study claims that dietary choices can manage Troponin levels, they can play a crucial role in improving heart health.
Regular Exercise:
Besides eating healthy, staying physically active should be your priority as it supports overall cardiac health and helps you balance your Troponin levels.
Routine Testing:
Last but not least, getting routinely tested, as suggested by your doctor, is crucial for monitoring your heart health.
Book Troponin Test With Redcliffe Labs!
Being a Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab, Redcliffe Labs, we offer different diagnostic tests with doorstep convenience at affordable rates. You can schedule the test via the website or call us to book the Troponin Test at home.
Your heart health matters; it is better not to take it lightly and take the necessary steps to manage it well.