My SIL went to ER last night with chest pain and pain down both arms. Gave her a GI cocktail which seemed to help so they assumed probably acid reflux. However, troponin came back at 2.7 so she was hospitalized and given stress test with myoview this morning. Stress test was normal but troponin fluctuated at 2.7 and slightly higher but not going up drastically. They've released her stating that they weren't happy about the troponin. I'm unsure what advice to give my brother and his wife. Any help?

well an elevated troponin is usually indicative of a heart attack or some sort of muscle weakness/damage to the heart. accompanied with this test is usually a ck total and a ck mb, which also test for muscle damage. the problem is that once a troponin is elevated, the levels remain high in the body for some time. therefore, if they were to test it again soon after, it would probably show the same reading. the only real way to see whether or not the condition has improved would be by checking the ck-total and ck-mb count, which fluctuate accordingly. if possible, you should have them ask for a bnp test (b-natriuretic peptide) which is more specific to heart attacks.

Thank you Islander. I have no idea what the ck-total or the ck-mb count was. It was like pulling teeth to get info in the ER and somewhat better once she got up to her room. Probably I need to have my brother request a copy of the records. I think she is to return to the doctor today and perhaps then she can find out those #'s. Thanks again.