Can strep infection cause elevated troponin level?
Patient: i had a mi 3 yrs ago .STEMI, arrested ,cardioverted and 2 Cypher Sents.. got strep last week and was admitted to hospital for 3 days. 1st troponin was "normal" 2nd was 0.10, 3rd 0.11 4th 0.09. NO other cardiac symptoms. Could the slightly elevated troponin be due to strep infection and/or the existing damage from the prior MI? I am Male 67 with controlled hypertension go to gym 5 days a week for the past 3 yrs. Doctor: Hi & Welcome to HCM.Streptococcal infection is unlikely to cause elevated Troponin levels.A troponin test measures the levels Troponin T or troponin I proteins in the blood. These proteins are elevated when the heart muscle has been damaged, such as occurs with a heart attack.Most patients who have had a heart attack have elevated Troponin levels within 6 hours and which may remain high for 1 to 2 weeks after a heart attack.Since you do not have symptoms suggestive of heart problem and the BP also seems to be controlled the elevated levels of Troponin could be due prolonged exercise during gym. However, it is better to get an ECG done to be on safer side to rule out the ischemic heart disease.Hope this answers your query.