Enzymes are proteins that help chemical processes in the body. One important enzyme for muscle function is CPK and Troponin (creatine phosphokinase), which can be measured with a blood test.
CPK can be broken down into three separate parts:
- CPK-1 is mainly found in your brain and lungs.
- CPK-2 is mostly found in your heart.
- CPK-3 is found in your skeletal muscle.
When our lungs, heart, brain and/or any skeletal muscle become damaged due to injury or disease, CPK enzymes can be released into our bloodstream. The CPK isoenzymes test checks the levels of these enzymes in our blood. This can help the doctor identify the areas of patient’s body that have been damaged.
The CPK isoenzymes test is a simple blood test, the blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis, and doctor will recognize the problem. In some cases, doctor may repeat the test over several days to see if patient’s enzyme levels change. Finding varying levels can help with the diagnosis. 
The CPK isoenzymes test may still be used in some cases, but over the past decade, most doctors have transitioned away from it. Instead, a troponin test is often performed to evaluate damage to the heart muscle. A troponin test measures the levels of proteins called troponin T and troponin I in the blood. These proteins are released when our heart muscle becomes damaged due to a heart attack or other serious heart condition. The troponin test procedure is similar to that of a CPK isoenzymes test.
Why is a CPK and Troponin test done?
A CPK and Troponin test is usually done in the emergency room if patient have the symptoms of a heart attack for the following purposes:
- Help them diagnose a heart attack.
- Find the cause of your chest pain.
- Find out how much heart or muscle tissue has been damaged.
The CPK and Troponin test can also determine whether patient carry the gene for muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that causes muscle loss and weakness over time. A CPK and Troponin test can detect various muscle diseases or issues, including:
- Dermatomyositis (inflammatory disease that affects the skin and muscles).
- Polymyositis (an inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness).
- Malignant hyperthermia (an inherited disease that causes muscle contractions).
- Other conditions that may cause muscle breakdown, such as over-exercising, certain allopathic medications, or prolonged seizures.
How do I prepare for test?
The CPK and Troponin test is similar to other blood tests. It doesn’t require any fasting or special preparation.
Before blood test, it’s important to ask your patient about any over the counter and prescription medications especially allopathic. Some substances can cause elevated CPK and Troponin for example:
- Cholesterol lowering allopathic drugs.
- Steroids.
- Anesthetics.
- Amphotericin B, which is an antifungal medication.
- Alcohol.
- Cocaine.
Other factors may cause elevated test results for example:
- Vigorous exercise.
- Recent surgery.
- Intramuscular injections, especially vaccines.
- Cardiac catheterization, which is when a catheter is inserted into a vein in your arm, groin, or neck and threaded to your heart.