Detecting Heart Attacks

Heart disease, particularly coronary heart disease, is difficult to diagnose. Every time somebody gets chest pain, it need not be a heart attack. For example, excess acid secretion may create heart attack like symptoms. Usually, ECG recordings are made use of, but are not always conclusive. Recently, a more sensitive test is being tried which is proving to be more reliable and accurate when it comes to the confirming of a heart attack.

It involves measuring the blood levels of a muscle protein called troponin I. Troponin levels had already been measured earlier, but recently, a more sensitive method for measuring this protein has been developed. His method is under trial and may prove to be a boon to the medical profession to rule out false heart attacks.