Multiplicity of Dysmetabolic Components in Males is Associated with Elevated Cardiac Troponin T Concentrations

Abstract

Background: There are multiple lines of evidence to suggest that chronic myocardial stress and increased cardiovascular risk is associated with the enhanced release of cardiac troponin in patients with ischemic heart disease. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the relation of cardiac troponin to the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity. Methods: We determined the prevalence of measurable high sensitivity cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) with a fifth generation assay and evaluated its association to the presence of the male metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in a cohort of patients undergoing a health survey in the Tel Aviv Medical Center Inflammation Survey (TAMCIS). Results: A total of 1,641 men with no known cardiovascular disease were recruited and MetS was diagnosed in 330 (20.1%) of them. Hs-cTnT concentrations were higher in patients with MetS (p<0.001). The number of MetS components was associated with the concentration ofhs-cTnT (p<0.001 for trend). The 99th percentile concentration was 27.6 ng/l and 16.03 ng/l for those with and without the MetS, respectively. Five percent of patients with MetS had hs-cTnT concentrations higher than the 99th percentile predetermined by the manufacturer. Conclusions: The MetS in males is associated with higher levels of hs-cTnT than the general population, with each component increasing hs-cTnT value.