what chemicals does the body produce when having a heart attack?

Answer 1

Following Enzymes/chemicals are secreted:

Cardiac Enzymes
There are several enzymes that are released when heart cells are damaged. A specific, sensitive marker that is present in 1-2 hours after the cardiac muscle injury continues to be sought.

Troponin T and I

These are contractile proteins of the myofibril. The cardiac isoforms are very specific for cardiac injury and are not present in serum from healthy people. Current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology Committee state that cardiac troponins are the prefered markers for detecting myocardial cell injury.

Troponin I (cTnI) or T (cTnT) are the forms frequently assessed.

§ Rises 2 - 6 hours after injury
§ Peaks in 12 - 16 hours
§ cTnI stays elevated for 5-10 days, cTnT for 5-14 days

Creatine Kinase (creatine phosphokinase)

This enzyme is found in heart muscle (CK-MB), skeletal muscle (CK-MM), and brain (CK-BB). Creatine kinase is increased in over 90% of myocardial infarctions. However, it can be increased in muscle trauma, physical exertion, postoperatively, convulsions, delirium tremens and other conditions.

Time sequence after myocardial infarction

§ begins to rise 4-6 hours
§ peaks 24 hours
§ returns to normal in 3-4 days

Creatine Phosphokinase Isoenzymes

§ MM fraction - skeletal muscle
§ MB fraction - heart muscle
§ BB fraction - brain

MB fraction

§ Rises and returns to normal sooner than total CK
§ Rises in 3-4 hours
§ Returns to normal in 2 days

CK - MB subforms

This test is becoming more popular. MB2 is released from heart muscle and converted in blood to MB1. A level of MB2 equal or greater than 1.0 U/L and an MB2/MB1 ratio equal or greater than 1.5 indicates myocardial infarction.

Myoglobin

Found in striated muscle. Damage to skeletal or cardiac muscle releases myoglobin into circulation.

Time sequence after myocardial infarction

§ Rises fast (2 hours) after myocardial infarction
§ Peaks at 6 - 8 hours
§ Returns to normal in 20 - 36 hours

Have false positives with skeletal muscle injury and renal failure.

Lactic Dehydrogenase

This enzyme is no longer used to to diagnose myocardial infarction.

Answer 2

I deal with heart attacks day in and day out. Contrary to one of the above answers, electrolyte levels (Na and K) can be absolutely normal prior or during a heart attack. Other answers are correct to mention the heart enzymes such as cardiac creatinine kinase (CK-MB) and troponin. These are proteins that reside inside cardiac muscle cells and leak out into the blood stream when these cells are damaged during the heart attack. Definitive diagnosis of heart attacks is made by the combination of these enzymes and concomittant ECG changes. Hope that helps...

Answer 3

A heart attack can't be defined just by CK levels, or whatever else...
The human bod goes through a big honkin' lot of changes when the most critical muscle is giving out!!!

Yes, Troponin changes. So do other markers.

But simple blood work can often be more revealing...
K+
Na+

Those will be out of whack before the actual attack occurs.

Answer 4

I know that hospitals determine heart attacks by the Troponin level in the body.

Answer 5

Your CPK-Mb will be high when you have a heart attack.