New Blood Test Could Detect Seriousness of Chest Pains

A new blood test could help assess risk of heart attack complications and blood clots.

FOX’s Alex Hein explains, in this “Housecall for Health”:

This is Housecall for Health.

While chest pain is typically the tell-tale sign of a heart attack, a new blood test may help doctors differentiate between a serious pain or a false alarm.

A study published in the European Heart Journal described a test that measures the blood levels of a molecule called TMAO, which is produced when gut bacteria breaks down foods, including red meat, eggs and dairy.

Previously, research conducted in animals has linked high levels of TMAO with greater blood vessel inflammation and studies conducted in heart diseases patients have shown that individuals with higher levels of TMAO have a higher risk of blood clots.

In the most recent study, patients with the highest levels were nearly twice as likely to die during the seven year follow up period than those with the lowest levels. From that and other indicators, researchers said when patients come to the ER with chest pains, doctors could use a blood test for TMAO to determine which have the highest risk for serious complications.

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