Troponin I Rapid Test

The heart's muscles contain a protein called Troponin I. Typically, Troponin levels are not detected in the blood. Instead, Troponin I is released into the bloodstream when the heart muscles are hurt or damaged. When a patient is thought to have suffered a heart attack, doctors frequently test Troponin levels multiple times over 24 hours.

Testing may also be required to examine heart trauma connected to specific medical procedures. The most frequent prescription of this test is to identify heart attacks. Angina, a disorder that restricts blood flow to the heart and causes chest pain, is occasionally detected with this technique. Angina sometimes leads to a heart attack.

Your doctor can also order this test if you experience severe chest pain radiating to the jaw, arms, back, neck, and shoulder, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, palpitations, excessive sweating, lightheadedness and panic attacks. A blood sample is needed for this Troponin test, normally carried out in an emergency room, hospital, or other similar medical facilities. This test is rapid and gives results within a few minutes so helps physicians to take action on an early basis.

Acute coronary syndrome and ST-elevation myocardial infarction are currently the most common causes of cardiovascular deaths in India.

Acute coronary syndrome (conditions occur due to sudden reduction or blockage of blood to the heart), Heart attack, Unstable angina(a condition where the heart doesn't get enough oxygen)

Troponin I rapid test detects the presence of troponin I in blood within a few minutes. Troponin I is a protein found in the heart's muscles. Normal blood Troponin levels are almost undetectable. However, when the heart muscles are harmed or damaged, there is a change. Within two to three hours of the start of a heart attack, Troponin levels usually rise. A silent heart attack can be fatal if not diagnosed and managed correctly on time. After surgery that can affect the heart, patients may also need a TroponinI test.

Your doctor may prescribe Troponin test for the following conditions:

1. before the medical procedure and repeating Troponin testing after the process is finished if you are at a high risk of heart injury during surgery.
2. If you've had heart attack symptoms, your doctor could advise you to have a TroponinI rapid test to confirm it.

Your doctor would typically order a Troponin I test as part of your medical examination if you are showing symptoms of a potential heart attack in a hospital or emergency department.

If you experience heart attack symptoms, you should seek medical attention. The following are typical signs and symptoms of a heart attack:

• Severe chest discomfort extending to the jaw, arms, back, neck, and shoulder
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Difficulty breathing
• Heavy sweating
• Panic attacks

When a patient is thought to have suffered a heart attack, doctors order a Troponin Rapid test for diagnosis. This test gives an idea of whether the heart muscles are damaged or not. More amount of Troponin levels is released into the blood circulation as the cardiac injury progresses.

This test should be done urgently whenever an individual complains of severe chest pain radiating to the jaw, arms, back, neck, and shoulder, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, palpitations, excessive sweating, lightheadedness or panic attacks.

Before the Test

Generally, no special preparations are required for the troponin test. If your doctor recommended this test along with another one, your healthcare provider may advise avoiding certain foods. It is always a good idea to consult your doctor before any test for the best results.

During the Test

A blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm. Here is what you can anticipate during the test:

• The phlebotomist will cleanse the area where the needle will be inserted with an antiseptic.
• A tourniquet will be placed around your arm to make the veins more prominent.
• A needle will be inserted into the vein to draw blood. This process may cause a brief pinch that lasts a few seconds.
• The blood will be collected in a vial or small test tube and a label on the vial will be filled up with your information.

After the Test

Once the blood has been collected:

• A bandage will be applied to the puncture site to stop any bleeding.
• Mild bruising is normal. Some people feel dizzy, and in such cases they are advised to sit for a few minutes.
• If you notice bleeding, pain, or rashes at the puncture site, contact your healthcare provider.

Troponin I rapid test parameter is the level of Troponin I proteins in the blood, which are released in the blood circulation due to heart injury.  

As this is a qualitative test, there are no specific ranges. The results only show positive or negative results, indicating if Troponin I is present or not in blood.

The normal values and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.

The Troponin rapid test is either positive or negative:

• A confirmed positive Troponin I Rapid Test indicates the presence of troponinI in the blood. The presence of troponin confirms damage to heart muscles due to heart attack,
• A negative Troponin I Rapid Test indicates the absence of troponin I in the blood.

Your doctor may want to investigate further by prescribing other tests like ECG, creatine kinase, 2D echo, complete blood count, lactate dehydrogenase, renal function tests, and vitamin B12 assays to find the cause of acute coronary syndrome or heart attack.

The price of a Troponin Test can differ based on the city and the laboratory. Typically, a Troponin test falls within the range of INR 1249 to INR 1920. For a better understanding, here is the average cost of a Troponin test in some major cities in India: