My mother-in-law suffered with some chest pain and shortness of breath. She is in Italy caring for her parents although she lives here, in New York year round. After being examined at the hospital, she was told her Tropanin level was 38 and was given antibiotics. What is the likelihood that she had a heart attack but it has not been diagnosed yet?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Only Troponin levels are not confirmatory of heart diseases. Sometimes, Troponin levels can be normal and patient is still having heart diseases. Her symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath etc. are commonly seen with heart failure and coronary heart disease (CAD). So better to consult cardiologist and get done 1. ECG 2. 2d echo 3. Stress test (trade mill test). All these are needed to confirm heart diseases. If all these are normal then no need to worry about heart diseases. Sometimes lung infection, bronchitis can also cause similar symptoms. So also get done chest x-ray and PFT (pulmonary function test). So, first diagnose her and then start appropriate treatment. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother-in-law. Thanks.