What is the cpk (creatine phosphokinase) test? Interpretation and how to perform this test
CPK test examines the enzyme creatine phosphokinase, the increase of which level in the body leads to a heart attack... Of course, this test is also used to evaluate the health of the myocardium (heart muscle), brain and skeletal muscles.
Creatine phosphokinase cpk is a protein enzyme that is found in the brain, heart and skeletal muscles.... In case of damage to the mentioned organs, the creatine phosphokinase enzyme is released in the blood stream and its level is checked by cpk test..
The high level of this enzyme in the cpk test indicates some kind of stress or damage in the heart tissue and related muscles.... If you or your loved ones have a heart problem, it is very important to know how to perform the creatine phosphokinase test...
Table of contents:
- What is cpk test?
- Types of cpk test
- Importance of cpk in blood test
- Use of cpk test
- How to perform CPK test
- Without CPK level test Phosphokinase
- interpretation of cpk test
- abnormal level of cpk-1
- abnormal level of cpk-2
- abnormal level of cpk-3
- cause of increased level of cpk test
- cause of decreased level cpk
- Drugs affecting pck test result
- Does high CPK level need treatment?
- CPK test result
- Frequently asked questions of cpk test
What is cpk test?
The enzyme creatine phosphokinase is a complex protein that makes the process of chemical changes in the body easier.... Our body needs the enzyme cpk (creatine phosphokinase) to function properly, which will play a very important role in the proper functioning of muscles.
If body tissues (heart, brain and skeleton) are damaged, the concentration of cpk enzyme in the blood increases.. The cpk test is a type of blood test that, according to its results, the doctor can obtain information about the amount of creatine phosphokinase enzyme in the body and make correct conclusions about the health of the brain, heart or skeletal muscles.
Learn more: How dangerous is infective endocarditis of the heart?
Types of cpk tests
creatine phosphokinase test enzyme can be classified into three isoforms:
- Type cpk-1 or CPK-BB: Present in the heart and lungs.
- Type cpk-2 or CPK-MB: Mostly found in the heart.
- Type cpk-3 or CPK-MM: It is present in the skeletal muscles of the body.
The importance of cpk in blood test
The enzyme creatine phosphokinase or cpk is present in high concentration in the brain, myocardium (heart muscle) and skeletal muscles.. This test is very important, so you can consult an online cardiologist.
In this case, the doctor can diagnose the damaged areas faster..
This gene causes muscle loss and weakness over time... So, another example of the importance of cpk in blood tests can be seen in the following muscle problems:
- Dermatomyositis:Inflammatory disease of skin and muscles
- Polymyositis: inflammatory disease with muscle weakness
- Malignant hyperthermia: a genetic disease associated with muscle spasm
cpk test program
The main use of the creatine phosphokinase test is in the emergency room after symptoms of a heart attack are observed... However, a doctor will usually order a cpk test in the following cases:
- Diagnosis of heart attack
- Identifying the cause of chest pain Investigating the cause of muscle inflammation caused by lupus
- Evaluation of damage to heart tissue or skeletal muscles
Be sure to visit a cardiologist for testing.
How to do the CPK test
The creatine phosphokinase test is a type of blood test that the nurse takes from a vein in your arm... If you are in the hospital, they will repeat this test for several days in a row..
This test doesn't require any special preparation, it's just better to inform your doctor about the specific medications you are taking.... When performing blood sampling procedures, the following are possible:
- Slight pain when the needle enters the vein
- Tingling or burning sensation at the blood draw site
- Pulse feeling in the needle entry area
Test for normal level of creatine phosphokinase
The normal value of cpk test usually varies from one laboratory to another... Because each of them has different measurement methods and methods..
The normal range of the level of this enzyme in men is also different from women.. so it is recommended to show your test to a cardiologist..
In the first step, you can consult an internal medicine doctor online and, if necessary, visit an internal medicine specialist in person.
Learn more: What are specialized electrocardiograms and EKG?
You can see the normal level of creatine phosphokinase test in the table below:
Explanation of cpk test
The level of creatine kinase in healthy adults can be different based on gender, race, and activity level... Usually, people who have heavy physical activity, have undergone surgery in a short period of time, injected vaccines, or take certain drugs, the level of cpk enzyme is higher in their tests..Also, research has shown that the average range of creatine phosphokinase enzyme will be higher in men than in women. It should be noted that people who have more muscle mass have higher enzyme levels than other people..
Therefore, the interpretation of the cpk test can be described as follows:
Abnormal level of cpk-1
It is associated with brain and lung problems and shows:
- stroke or brain damage
- Seizures
- Death of lung tissue
- electric shock
Abnormal level of cpk-2
It is associated with heart problems and shows:
- Heart attack
- Open heart surgery
- Physical damage to the heart (post-accident damage)
- Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
- electrical damage
Abnormal level of cpk-3
It is associated with muscle damage problems and shows:
- Damage due to accident Muscular dystrophy
- Muscle damage caused by prolonged immobility (rhabdomyolysis)
The reason for the increase in the cpk test level
The main reason for the increase in the level of creatine phosphokinase enzyme in the blood includes the following:
- heart disease
- Damage to lung muscle tissue
- Nervous discomfort
- stroke
There are other factors that can indicate high levels of this enzyme... these don't directly affect the heart, brain, or muscles, but they do increase cpk levels in the test.
- Hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism kidney failure
- Microbial infection
- Celiac
- Heavy sports
- Lupus Arthritic rheumatism
- long-term surgery
- Consumption of certain drugs
The reason for the decrease in the cpk test level
The factors that are effective in reducing the level of creatine phosphokinase enzyme are:
- Very little muscle mass
- Pregnancy (especially the first months) liver cancer
- Cushing's syndrome
Drugs that affect pck test result
The use of some drugs can cause errors in the results of medical tests.. Drugs that affect cpk test results include:
- Statins
- Fibrates
- Amphotericin B
- Anesthetic medicine
- Steroids
- Dexamethasone
- Alcohol
- Blood pressure medicines
Does high CPK level need treatment?
An increase in the creatine phosphokinase enzyme in the CPK test can indicate various things, such as heavy physical activity or injections in a short period of time. Therefore, after the necessary examinations and taking a history of your specific symptoms, the specialist doctor will first recommend choosing a healthy lifestyle.If necessary, more tests will be prescribed and used to compare with the interpretation of the CPK test results.... In this case, the main cause of the increase in the level of the creatine phosphokinase enzyme in the blood will be determined.... Then, if necessary, you will be given an appropriate treatment plan to prevent complications and reduce the risk...
Learn more: What is coronary angioplasty?
cpk test results
The CPK test shows the level of a certain enzyme in the body that increases during a heart attack.... This test helps the doctor to detect less damage to the heart, brain and skeletal muscles at critical times by examining the creatine phosphokinase enzyme.
The importance of CPK testing prompted us to introduce you to the full interpretation and how to do it in this article from GCORP LLC magazine. You can also share your opinions and experiences with us.
CPK test FAQs
High-fat foods such as butter, sauce and red meat
Yes... in patients suspected of having high CPK levels, the history of their physical condition and physical activity is first taken.
One of the main reasons for an increase in the level of creatine phosphokinase in the cpk test is heart disease.... So be sure to show the test result to a cardiologist.
Source: portea | webmd | health line
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