Is it possible to have a slightly elevated troponin levels with no heart problem?

Question

I have dealt with heart palpitations for 8 yrs. I am 28 now. I went to hospital overnight recently for bad palpitations that were making me sweat. My chest x-ray was negative, echocardiogram-negative, catscan-negative, thyroid test-negative, and all bloodwork was negative except for my troponin level. It was a .11 and that is why they admitted me. They kept me for a day for observation and my heart rhythm was fine. I had a few pvc's they seen but "nothing to worry about" they said. Anyway, I was discharged with no answer to my raised troponin enzyme. It was a .9 when I left. I am now on 25mg lopressor 2x daily. The doctor says he believes nothing its wrong with my heart, but everything I have read suggests any raise in troponin signifies a heart injury. I am going crazy wondering if something is wrong with me. I see my doctor this coming Friday for follow up. I am going to demand seeing a cardiologist. Anyone ever have a similar problem??? Thanks in advance!

My ekg was normal too

Answer 1

I don't know who was treating you, but you had NSTEMI,(NON ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION). In such cases when you were admitted, did they do the cardiac enzymes too?
Anyway, you have suffered a myocardial infarction.
As far as trop level is concerned they will be elevated.
You have a cardiac problem, and needs to be sorted out.

Answer 2

It is possible to have a slightly elevated troponin and not have heart disease. Sometimes people with kidney dysfunction have chronically elevated troponins.

BUT, given that you've had a positive troponin, have had "bad palpitations that make you sweat"...I would say you absolutely need to have an ischemic work up done to rule out definitive coronary disease.

Keep taking your Lopressor until you can see a cardiologist, and I would highly recommend asking him/her about having further testing. You may even benefit from a heart cath/angiogram to ensure you do not have coronary disease. It might not be a bad idea to ask about taking a daily aspirin also.

Let us know how it turns out!

Answer 3

if the "troponin I" level was +ve and the ECG was normal u can directly tell your doctor that what you have is called "non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction" (NSTEMI)... and u should seek the help of cardiologist soon...
a beta blocker alone is not the good managment for an MI...u should be taking the correct treatment by the moment...
regarding the PVC... u can reassure urself that it is not important ... after u seek the help of a cardiologist because up to 60% of the population < 18 years do have PVC several time a day!...

Answer 4

There are a couple different kinds of troponin. Troponin I is specific to heart damage. However, this could be something other than a heart attack. Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart) or Endocarditis (infection inside the heart) can also lead to elevated troponin levels. The fact that you have associated EKG changes seems to suggest cardiac involvement. Check with your doctor for sure.

Answer 5

while you where in the hospital they should have had all your blood work done and before you left there they should have had a Cardiologist do a work up on ya ,what test did they do on your heart,get a second opinion I think would be wise ,if you have dealt heart palpitations you should have already had a good Cardio work up done, the doctor your seeing for a follow up should be a Cardiac Doc not a general practitioner

Answer 6

Raised Troponin

Answer 7

http://stemlynsblog.org/troponin_not_always_acute_myocardial_infarction/