When you go to the hospital after a chest pain your doctor might request an enzyme test or a CPK test. But what is this? Did you ever think about it?
OK now I am going to tell you more about it. You don't need to have huge medical knowledge to understand this article. So don't worry. All these are enzyme based diagnostic tests designed to identify a certain disease condition. As you know the human body is made up of billions of cells. Each and every cell is a fluid filled bag. Plasma membrane serves as the boundary of this bag. As long as it is healthy it keeps everything with inside the cell without allowing escaping. With in these cells there are enzymes. Enzymes are proteins which catalyze various biochemical reactions. But when the cell is injured these enzymes come out. Then these enzymes diffuse through the extra cellular space and contaminate the blood. So when a blood sample is taken this elevated cellular enzyme levels can be detected. As certain enzymes are specific for certain organs the doctors can detect the affected organ. Eg: The heart. Now you can understand. When you have a chest pain they suspect a heart attack. To diagnose whether it is a heart attack or some other condition they request a CPK test. If it is a heart attack CPK test is life saving. Remember CPK is a very important cardiac enzyme in diagnosing.
E.g.: C.P.K- Heart muscle
