The CKMB blood test is typically ordered after someone tests positive for increased levels of creatine kinase. The goal of this test is to determine whether the higher levels are due to a breakdown of skeletal muscles or because of heart damage. It may also be ordered when someone is experiencing chest pain or symptoms of a possible cardiac emergency such as nausea, difficulty catching one’s breath, dizziness, or unusual fatigue.
In the past, the CKMB blood test was often ordered to determine whether or not a heart attack has occurred. It is still considered a viable substitute for tests like the troponin blood test, which is now considered the gold standard of heart attack detection.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
The average person has very low CKMB levels in their blood on the average day. It is possible for levels to be so low that the blood test doesn’t even detect them.
If the results show that there is an elevated level of CKMB, then the levels are then compared to the total amount of creatine kinase that have previously been detected. This will create a ratio that is used as a diagnostic method. If the relative index ration of total CK to the CKMB test results is more than 2.5, then there is a good chance that the heart has been damaged.
If there is no evidence of heart problems or skeletal muscle breakdown, then the kidneys may be the cause of the increased levels of CKMB. Chronic muscle diseases, alcohol abuse, or low levels of thyroid hormones have also been known to cause positive test results. Exercise and contact sports are known to create moderately high levels of CKMB.
A negative CKMB test results means that no damage has occurred and the cause of the bothersome symptoms is related to a different health condition. It may also indicate that a cardiac event could have occurred, but do so several days before the test.
Chest Pain Doesn’t Always Indicate a Heart Attack
There are numerous reasons why an individual may experience chest pain that do not include a heart attack or a symptom of coronary heart disease. There are numerous muscles in the chest that can be pulled or strained to create chest pain. Lung problems are also known to cause chest pain, as can something as simple as indigestion. Stress is also known to cause chest pain, as can regular exercise.
It is important to seek medical assistance when the chest pain lasts longer than a few minutes. If the chest pain is persistent even at rest, then immediate medical attention may be necessary. When reporting to an emergency room or requesting medical services, it is important to mention that chest pain is being experienced.
What Other Tests May Be Ordered?
When there is a confirmed high level of CK, then there are 3 specific tests that can help to determine the cause of the increased reading. The CKMB is used to detect mostly heart issues, but skeletal muscles may also be involved. CKMM blood tests are used more to detect skeletal muscle damage, but it also has some enzymes that can be found in the heart. CKBB blood tests are used to determine damage in the smooth muscles of the body, like the intestines. It can also detect high levels of CK that may be in the brain.
No test preparations are needed in order to have a blood sample taken for testing. All of the samples may be taken on the same appointment, but this is at the discretion of each medical provider.
What If a Medical Provider Doesn’t Order This Test?
Not every medical provider may choose to order the CKMB blood test. It is most useful in determining the difference between heart muscle damage and skeletal muscle damage. For this reason, it is generally used as an alternative test or to determine a definitive diagnosis of Kennedy disease, which is a rare genetic disorder.
Having more muscle mass will create naturally higher levels of CKMB. Men typically have higher readings than women and any type of muscle damage will increase the results. Medical providers will not usually order this test if someone has received a recent vaccination or suffered from a muscle trauma in the recent past.
The CKMB blood test is used to create specificity for certain bothersome symptoms someone may be facing and can indicate whether or not a heart attack has occurred. For specific questions about a medical history and what individual test results may mean, schedule an appointment with the medical provider who ordered this test.