Most Accurate Blood Test to Prevent a Pending Heart Attack

In the United States and Europe, estimated each year 15 million people go to emergency rooms with symptoms of a heart attack (Build-up of fatty deposits on the vessel walls of the heart, cutting off blood supply leading to a heart attack or stroke 5) A heart attack confirmed by blood tests such as troponin (Detect elevated levels of heart attack protein, indicative of heart muscle injury) and diagnostic evaluation of electrocardiogram (EKG). 1 "In 2009, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one." 2 Common preventative measure against having a heart attack, frequently testing good and bad cholesterol (HDL and LDL): Despite acceptable levels (Build up of bad cholesterol in the inner walls of the arteries and good cholesterol protect against heart attack 3) in a healthy person, does not provide an absolute certainty, against having a heart attack. 4 Most accurate blood test measures myeloperosidase (MPO) enzyme: High levels imminently predict within six months a heart attack, unless invasive medical intervention is forthcoming. 5

A bio-marker blood test measures the level of the enzyme myeloperosidase (MPO), produced by the white blood cells (defense mechanism in the body). 5 The enzyme is like a bleach substance that damages the cardiovascular system. 11 Cardiologist Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic said: "We were able to show that this enzyme called MPO... that elevate levels of it are seen in patients who are at risk not only for having a heart attack when they present, but also a heart attack or needing bypass surgery or needing angioplasty or dying in the next one - month to six - month period." The Food and Drug Administration approved the MPO blood test - 95 percent accuracy. 5

A research study by scientists John Hill, Dr. Jin Frohlich and Claire Hestop evaluated statistical mortality database of 257 deaths (average age 60), 117 caused by cardiovascular disease. When high levels of MPO where detected, 2.4 times greater risk dying of heart disease, based upon the thirteen years the database accumulated follow - up data. Findings of the research published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology (2010). According to Dr. Hill, generally considers MPO level exceeding 120 ng/ml high mortality risks. 6 Patients with elevated myeloperosidase (MPO), require immediate treatment such as bypass surgery, angioplasty and or medication, besides a lifestyle modification. 5

A study (Published in the New England Journal of Medicine) of 604 patients admitted to emergency departments with chest pains had elevated levels of MPO, requiring medical intervention. Also, formidable according to the study, compared to troponin diagnostic blood test for heart attack, myeloperosidase (MPO) level increased faster. 7

The Food and Drug Administration approved PrognostiX (start-up company) selling a diagnostic test PrognastiX CardioMPO Reagent Kit: Quantitative measure of myeloperoxidase (myeloperosidase) in human plasma (blood) for patients with chest pains, risk of a heart attack (Toll Free: 866 - 358 - 9828 for further information). 8 The test was developed by physicians at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. 9

Accurately predicting when a person may have a heart attack, not only saves lives by providing sooner than later medical intervention (decreases odds of mortality), besides reduce costly and risky medical procedures, preceding a heart attack. "In 2009, heart disease cost the U.S. 304.6 billion dollars in health care services, medications, and lost productivity (CDC)". 10

References:

1.) New blood tests find heart attacks more quickly - http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-27-heart-attacks_N.htm

2.) Heart Disease is the Number One Cause of Death - http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-27-heart-attacks_N.htm

3. LDL and HDL Cholesterol: What's Bad and What's Good? - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=180

4.) Blood protein offers clues to heart attack in seemingly healthy people - http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/acoc-bpo070207.php

5.) Test for Imminent Heart Attacks - Cardiologists Discover New Enzyme that Predicts Risk of a Heart Attack - http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2005/0812-test_for_imminent_heart_attacks.htm

6.) Test helps predict risk of dying from heart disease: study - http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Test+helps+predict+risk+dying+from+heart+disease+study/2715398/story.html

7.) New this month New Blood test predicts cardiac risk - http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/cardiac/cardiac_1_04.html

8.) Assay Overview, Summary and Explanation - http://www.prognostix.com/inner.aspx?PAGE_ID=10

9.) Cardiologists Discover New Enzime that Predict Risk of Heart Attack - http://www.aip.org/dbis/stories/2005/15076.html

10.) Heart Attack Fact Sheet - http://www.acep.org/patients.aspx?id=26070

11.) Myeloperoxidase protein provides clues to heart attacks in healthy person - http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/07/04/27153.aspx