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Is It True That High Troponin Level Indicates To Have Heart Attack?

Posted on Wed, 4 Dec 2013

Question: My father 92 years of age was hit by a car and immediately brought to the hospital by ambulance with a fractured hip, a hit to the head (no fracture) and blood tests were taken the same day and following day showing troponin readings of .11 - .17 - .09 A month and half later he died. Were the troponin readings a sign that he had a heart attack?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer: High troponin levels,heart attack,car hit... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have read the sad history of your father. Please accept my condolences. May the peace that comes from the memories of your father comfort you now and in the days ahead. It is true that troponin level means there is a heart attack within 6 hours of developing it. However, you are mentioning that your father was hitted by a car, meaning that his heart could have been damaged. Such damages are shown with elevated troponin levels. At the end, the troponin levels of your late father were increased by the car hit and probably a heart attack. Hope it answered your inquiries! If you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact me again. Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

In other words you are saying that the tropinin level indicate that the heart was either damaged or had a heart attack 6 hours before the blood test was taken. is that correct? Do you think that the heart (damage or heart attack) may have caused or contributed to his death?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (17 hours later)

Brief Answer: Troponin due to chest trauma, complicate health... Detailed Answer: Hi again, The high troponin level in your father case is more likely to be related with chest trauma (thoracic damage). However there's a low probability that it's due to myocardial infarction (heart attack). I think that in your father's case his death is more likely due to other causes (for example pulmonary embolism) but chest trauma, the hip fracture and immobilization may worsen or complicate his health condition. This is why the trauma may be a contributor to your father death. Hope it answered your inquiries! If you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact me again. Dr.Benard

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj