Even a slight increase in the troponin level will often mean there has been some damage to the heart. Very high levels of troponin are a sign that a heart attack has occurred. Most patients who have had a heart attack have increased troponin levels within 6 hours.

What level of troponin indicates heart attack?

The University of Washington's Department of Laboratory Medicine provides the following ranges for troponin I levels: Normal range: below 0.04 ng/ml. Probable heart attack: above 0.40 ng/ml.

Can troponin be elevated without heart attack?

Elevated cardiac troponin, a diagnostic marker of damage to the heart, may occur even if a patient has not had a heart attack, according to a study published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science.