complications after heart surgery — myocardial injury, a heart muscle injury associated with increased deaths,” said lead study author P.J. Devereaux. He’s a senior scientist at McMaster and a cardiologist at Hamilton Health Sciences.
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What happens during a troponin test?
During a troponin test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. Once the needle is inserted into your vein, a small amount of blood is collected into a test tube or vial. This test usually takes no more than five minutes and you may feel a small sting as the needle goes in and out of your vein.
It does not require any proper preparation and has very little risk besides a slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in. These symptoms usually go away rather quickly.
When do you need a troponin test?
You may need a troponin test if you have recently been admitted to the emergency room with symptoms of a heart attack. These symptoms include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain in other parts of the body, including your arm, back, jaw, or neck
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Sweating
If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately.
What do the results mean?
Results that show normal troponin levels for 12 hours after you experience chest pain mean it is unlikely that your symptoms were caused by a heart attack.
Even the smallest level of troponin in your blood could be a sign that there is some damage to your heart. If your troponin levels are high in one or more tests over time, you most likely suffered a heart attack. Other reasons for higher than normal troponin levels include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Blood clot in your lungs
If you have questions about your results or have further questions on how a troponin test may benefit you, talk to your health care provider.
Heart surgery aftercare
If you recently had heart surgery, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind to ensure that you recover properly, according to Abbott.
Your heart surgery aftercare at home will include:
- Caring for your incision and monitoring for signs of infection. When cleaning your incision, remember to use warm — not hot — water and to pat the area dry.
- Gradually resuming your normal physical activity and improving your heart and lung functions with light exercises, such as walking and strength-training activities involving a chair. Yoga can also be a beneficial exercise.
- Taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Monitoring your weight and noting any fluctuations.