The myoglobin blood test is sometimes ordered to either diagnose or rule out a heart attack. If the heart is injured, then myoglobin levels begin to rise within 3 hours of the event happening. They will reach their peak levels within 12 hours and then begin to subside. It usually takes just 1 day for myoglobin levels to return to normal, so timing for this test is critical.
Myoglobin has oxygen attached to it, which allows muscles to have high activity levels for a longer period of time. When it is released into the blood, a common symptom is often fatigue.
The issue with the myoglobin blood test is that it is not heart specific. Any muscle injury will also cause myoglobin levels to begin to rise. Depending on the severity of the injury, levels may quickly rise. Because of the specificity issues, this test may not be right for everyone. It may also be ordered multiple times over the course of a day if there are several health issues which need to be addressed.
Myoglobin can also be detected in urine. A blood and urine combination test may be ordered if there is a suspicion of kidney damage.
When To See a Doctor About the Myoglobin Blood Test
Always seek emergency medical help if chest pains are being experienced. This may be an indication that a heart attack has occurred. The pain results because a portion of the heart muscle has been damaged or has died. Chest pain can be caused by other health issues, from simple muscle strains to indigestion, but should always be taken seriously.
Many people who have had a heart attack end up dying because they never sought medical help. In this instance, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
Angina is another form of chest pain. It is the kind of pain that happens while exercising or enduring a very stressful moment. It typically lasts for a few minutes and then will go away after rest. Pain that continues after resting for a few minutes should always be evaluated by a medical provider.
For muscle injuries outside of the heart, there will typically be tenderness and pain associated with the muscle damage. There may also be a fever present and a dull, throbbing pain in the back because of the kidneys filtering out the myoglobin. This may be accompanied by chronic fatigue, trouble sleeping, and a shortness of breath. If these symptoms are noticed, then schedule an appointment with a medical provider right away.
What Do the Myoglobin Blood Test Results Mean?
When there is an increase in myoglobin levels, then this indicates that a muscle injury has occurred somewhere in the body. There may be additional tests, such as a troponin blood test, to help a medical provider determine some specificity to the cause of muscle damage. People who have a muscle disease, had a recent surgery, or even had a seizure will have higher levels of myoglobin because it is found in both heart and skeletal muscle tissue.
The myoglobin blood test may be more effectively used as an exclusionary screening tool instead. If there are not myoglobin increases within 12 hours of a suspected heart attack, then the odds that a heart attack occurred are not very high.
Chest pain without myoglobin levels rising may also be an indication that there is a hardening of the arteries of the heart or other components of coronary heart disease worsening.
Here’s What You Should Know
Strenuous exercise can cause myoglobin levels to increase. People who workout frequently may see naturally higher levels every day because of their activity routines.
High myoglobin levels may also be an indication that the kidneys are not working properly. They filter out myoglobin from the blood, so a negative urine result with a positive blood test can still be an indication that a person’s kidneys are failing.
Certain lifestyle habits may also cause myoglobin levels to increase. Consuming large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis or taking certain drugs, like statins, may also cause muscle injuries and make myoglobin levels rise.
The myoglobin blood test helps a medical provider determine the status of muscle tissue. If an injury has occurred, then doctors can begin to investigate the cause of that injury. From there, a treatment plan can be created or adjusted as necessary. Speak to your doctor about the potential benefits of having this test ordered if you have the signs or symptoms of muscle damage to see if it could be right for you.