What does an elevated troponin T level mean?

An elevated troponin T level means that a person has experienced a heart attack, according to MedlinePlus. It also indicates potential conditions such as congestive heart failure, long-term kidney disease, coronary artery spasm or myocarditis.

A heart attack causes damage to the heart muscles, leading to an elevated troponin T level in the bloodstream, explains MedlinePlus. In most cases, the troponin T level rises within six hours of the attack. At the elapse of 12 hours, nearly all heart attack patients experience elevated troponin T levels, and the elevated levels may last for up to one to two weeks following the attack.