Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on Abbott’s website.
Learn more about how troponin levels in men and women differ and how Abbott’s troponin test may identify evidence of heart attack earlier in women.
Structurally, men and women’s hearts are built similarly. But when the heart is in trouble, the outside symptoms may vastly differ by gender.
Not only can women display different heart attack symptoms than men, but pinpointing heart trouble in women could also be more difficult for doctors.
What is troponin?
If doctors suspect a heart attack, they often conduct a test to measure troponin proteins in the blood. Troponin-I proteins are released from the heart and can be found at elevated levels in the blood when the heart muscle has been damaged. The more damage to the heart, the greater the amount of troponin in the blood.
Women do not likely have as much troponin protein as men, which may mask a serious heart condition and lead to delayed treatment. Researchers discovered that peak troponin levels were four times lower in female hospital patients than in male hospital patients, according to a study published by the journal Pathology. Since troponin levels are used by health providers to help guide treatment decisions, lower levels may contribute to less aggressive treatment in women. This means women could be discharged or face delayed heart attack treatment.
New test may enhance detection
A test developed by Abbott may help remedy the troponin dilemma. Continue Reading>>
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