Medical knowledge, Patient Education

CK-MB Test

Posted on by CheapBook

Why am I having this test?

The CK-MB test is performed to help determine if you have heart muscle damage that is caused by a heart attack. It may be done as part of an emergency evaluation of your heart.

A CK-MB test alone is not enough to diagnose a heart attack. Your health care provider will use your CK-MB blood test results along with other tests and exams (such as an electrocardiogram) to make a diagnosis. You may also need to have the CK-MB test repeated a few hours or days after the first test.

What is being tested?

This test measures the levels of creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) in your blood.

  • Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in muscle tissue. When the muscle tissue is damaged, CK is released into the blood.

  • Creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) is a type of CK that is found mostly in the heart muscle. CK-MB levels may become raised (elevated) as soon as 3–6 hours and peaks about 24 hours after a heart attack.

What kind of sample is taken?

A person having a blood sample taken from the arm.

A blood sample is required for this test. It is collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.

How do I prepare for this test?

Several other conditions and situations can cause CK-MB levels to increase. Before having this test done, tell your health care provider about:

  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.

  • Any surgeries you have had, especially recent ones.

  • Any recent muscle injuries.

  • Any recent heavy exercise.

  • Any medical conditions you have, including kidney disease.

  • Cocaine use.

  • Alcohol use.

How are the results reported?

Your test results will be reported as a value. The value tells you what percentage of CK in your blood is CK-MB. Your health care provider will compare your results to normal values that were established after testing a large group of people (reference values). Reference values may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, a normal CK-MB result is:

  • 0%.

What do the results mean?

Any level of CK-MB that is above 0% may be abnormal. If your CK-MB is 15–30% of your total CK, it may mean that you have recently had a heart attack.

However, an abnormal CK-MB level can also be seen if:

  • You have an injury to your skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscles are muscles that connect to bones.

  • You have high blood pressure.

  • You have kidney disease.

  • You have inflammation of the heart muscle.

Other rare causes include:

  • Long-term (chronic) muscle disease.

  • Alcohol use disorder.

  • Vigorous exercises.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

  • When will my results be ready?

  • How will I get my results?

  • What are my treatment options?

  • What other tests do I need?

  • What are my next steps?

Summary

  • The CK-MB test is performed to help determine if you have heart muscle damage that is caused by a heart attack.

  • A CK-MB test alone is not enough to diagnose a heart attack. Your health care provider will use your CK-MB blood test results along with other tests and exams to make a diagnosis.

  • An elevated CK-MB level may mean that you have recently had a heart attack. But several other conditions can also be associated with elevated CK-MB levels.

  • Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

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