Heart tests in the blood detect damage to heart muscle (troponin, CK-MB), strain on the heart (BNP) and inflammation linked to heart disease (CRP).
Why is it done?
They are used in emergencies to diagnose heart attacks, to assess breathlessness and swelling, and to help estimate long-term heart risk.
How to prepare
No preparation is needed. In an emergency, these tests are done in hospital, often repeated a few hours apart.
How to read your results
Any rising troponin with chest pain means a heart attack until proven otherwise. A high BNP suggests heart failure. CRP reflects inflammation and, in its high-sensitivity form, heart risk.
Tests in this panel and their normal ranges
| Test | Normal range (adults) |
|---|---|
| Homocysteine | 4.4–15.4 µmol/L |
| Troponin I | Below 0.04 ng/mL (below 40 ng/L) |
| Troponin T | Below 0.01 ng/mL (below 10 ng/L) |
| CK-MB | Up to 25 U/L |
| CPK / Creatine Kinase (CK) | Men 39–308 U/L Women 26–192 U/L |
| LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) | 135–225 U/L |
| BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) | Below 100 pg/mL (below 100 ng/L) |
| CRP (C-Reactive Protein) | Up to 5 mg/L (up to 0.5 mg/dL) |
Ranges vary slightly between laboratories. The range printed on your own report is the one to go by.
Last updated
This page is for general education and is not a diagnosis. Normal ranges differ between laboratories, so always compare your result with the reference range printed on your own report, and discuss abnormal results with your doctor.