What is this test?
This is a test to check for heart muscle damage or detect a recent heart attack.
 
Sample required
Blood.
 
Patient preparation
No specific patient preparation protocol is required. Inform the doctor if you are on any medications, or have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before this test.
 
Turn-around time (How long does it take?)
5 Hours.
 
Basis of the Test
CK-MB is one of three forms (isoenzymes) of the enzyme creatine kinase (CK). CK is released from muscle cells and is detectable in the blood whenever there is muscle damage. The small amount of CK that is normally in the blood is primarily CK-MM. CK-BB almost never gets into the blood, and CK-MB will typically only be present in significant amounts when the heart is damaged. A CK test measures the total level but does not distinguish between the three isoenzymes. When there is an increased amount of CK present in the blood, the CK-MB test can be used to determine whether it is due to heart damage or is more likely to be related to skeletal muscle injury.