Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests can help the physician identify underlying ischemic heart disease and conditions that may contribute to its development. For example, urinalysis, an analysis of a urine sample, may indicate diabetes mellitus or renal disease, both of which are associated with atherosclerosis.

Blood tests may show elevated lipid (fats) levels that indicate atherosclerosis and an elevated CPK (creatine phosphokinase) level. CPK is an enzyme released into the blood when heart tissue dies. Testing CPK blood levels in the emergency room and during the next 6 to 24 hours can determine with some certainty whether heart attack has occurred.