Troponin mainly consists of three different proteins that help in regulating the skeletal muscles of the human body and also help to regulate the contractions of the heart. If you have high levels of Troponin in your body, it means that there is a problem with your heart. In this article, we will discuss how to have normal levels of Troponin.
In this article, we will discuss various aspects of the protein named Troponin and the various types of Troponin available in the body. Furthermore, we will discuss the various functions of Troponin, which is a requirement in the human body.
In addition to that, we will also discuss the normal levels of Troponin required by the body and what are the various causes for the increase in Troponin levels. Lastly, we will find out how you can achieve normal Troponin levels if you have high levels of Troponin.
Functions Of Troponin And Its Usefulness In The Human Body
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center,
“Troponin is found in cells in your heart muscle. When these cells are injured, they can release Troponin and other substances into the blood. This is most often when the heart isn't getting enough oxygen and nutrients.”
There are mainly three types of Troponins available – Troponin C, Troponin T, and Troponin I. Troponin C helps in binding the calcium within the body and also helps in the transport of Troponin I for the contraction of the muscles of the body. Furthermore, Troponin T helps in binding the rest of the Troponins to the muscle fibers of the body.
High sensitivity Troponin levels are indications of problems with the heart. After an injury of the heart, like a heart attack, it releases Troponin into the blood. Hence, a high Troponin might mean that the person might have had a heart attack recently. In the world of medicine, such a situation is called a myocardial infarction.
Troponin levels: What Are The Normal Levels Of Troponin?
The Troponin levels are measured with the help of Troponin tests, where the levels of Troponin T and Troponin I are measured. This helps in getting a better idea of the damage to the heart. According to experts, Troponin tests include
“Measuring your troponin level often can quickly tell your healthcare provider whether you are having a heart attack. During a heart attack, an artery that feeds your heart muscle with blood becomes blocked.”
However, Troponin levels are generally extremely low. Hence, it is difficult to detect Troponin with standard blood tests. Even small increases in the levels of Troponin can indicate heart damage and a bit high level of Troponin might indicate serious damage to the heart.
According to Medical News Today,
“Having a result between 0.04 and 0.39 ng/ml often indicates a problem with the heart. However, a very small number of healthy people have higher-than-average levels of Troponin. Due to this, if the result is in this range, a doctor may check for other symptoms and order further tests before making a diagnosis.”
Although the so-called “normal” Troponin levels can vary in different laboratories, the required Troponin level, however, for heart attack, is above 0.40 ng/ml, while the normal range of Troponin is 0–0.04 ng/ml. To know more about Troponin, you can check out a Troponin level chart by clicking on the link given: https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/367/bmj.l6055/F4.medium.jpg
Troponin elevation: What Are The Major Causes Of High Troponin Levels?
As you have already understood that high levels of Troponin in the blood indicate that there has been serious damage to the heart, which further indicates that the person has surely experienced a heart attack. Heart attacks occur if the supply of blood to some of the muscles of the heart stops.
Troponin levels can elevate as a result of a variety of conditions, which can be cardiac (related to the heart) as well as non-cardiac (not related to the heart). Some of the major causes for the increase in the levels of Troponin in the heart include:
- Formation of Sepsis, which forms when a life-threatening situation occurs when an infection enters the bloodstream of the patient.
- Chronic kidney disease or a failure of a kidney can also lead to an increase in the levels of Troponin.
- As discussed above, one of the major reasons for the rise in the levels of Troponin is heart issues. Heart failure can also lead to a rise in Troponin.
- If you go through chemotherapy due to the damage to the heart, you can also face Troponin elevation.
- Pulmonary embolism can also lead to the elevation of Troponin.
- Any kind of heart infection can also cause Troponin to increase in the blood.
- The inflammation of the heart can also cause a rise in the levels of Troponin in the blood.
- If one consumes recreational drugs like cocaine, it damages the heart and can lead to a higher flow of Troponin.
- A sudden and hard blow to the chest can also lead to a higher flow of Troponin in the blood.
How To Get Normal Levels Of Troponin?
According to Medical News Today,
“High troponin levels are a symptom, not a diagnosis, so treatment will focus on finding and addressing the underlying cause.”
The following are the treatments a patient needs to go through in case of a higher level of Troponin in the blood:
- Medications that dissolve clots
- Bypass surgery
- Open heart surgery
- Coronary angioplasty
- Insertion of a wire mesh tube during angioplasty.
- Destruction of certain cells of the heart with ablation.
Summing Up
In this article, you learned about the protein named Troponin and what are the major causes for the rise in the levels of Troponin in the blood. One of the most common causes for the rise in the levels of Troponin in the blood includes any kind of heart problems. If you find increased levels of Troponin in the blood, it means the person might have had a heart problem recently. In such cases, to control and get normal levels of Troponin, consulting a cardiologist is the best option.
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