Which cardiac marker is consistently elevated in individuals with unstable angina?

Troponin T is the correct cardiac marker that is consistently elevated in individuals with unstable angina. Troponins, including Troponin T, are contractile proteins found in cardiac muscle. They play a critical role in muscle contraction by regulating the interaction between actin and myosin filaments.

In the context of unstable angina, even though there is no complete blockage of the coronary artery and no full myocardial infarction (heart attack), there can be transient episodes of ischemia (reduced blood flow). During these episodes, some degree of myocardial damage occurs, causing the release of cardiac troponins into the bloodstream. Therefore, elevated levels of Troponin T indicate myocardial injury and are a strong indicator of heart muscle stress, which can occur during episodes of unstable angina.

Other cardiac markers such as CK-MB and myoglobin may also rise in the presence of myocardial injury, but they are less specific for cardiac damage related to unstable angina compared to troponin levels. CK-MB, for instance, is more closely associated with myocardial infarction and may not consistently indicate unstable angina. Myoglobin is an early marker that can rise quickly after myocardial injury but lacks specificity for cardiac tissue. Troponin C, on the