High levels of which of the following indicate possible damage to the heart?

High levels of troponin are a key indicator of possible damage to the heart, particularly in the context of myocardial injury, such as a heart attack. Troponin is a protein found in cardiac muscle, and its levels in the bloodstream rise when the heart muscle is injured. This makes troponin a crucial marker in diagnosing and managing acute coronary syndromes.

When heart tissue is damaged, as in the case of an acute myocardial infarction, troponin leaks into the bloodstream, resulting in elevated serum levels. Healthcare professionals often use troponin assays as part of their panel of tests to evaluate patients with chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of cardiac issues.

Other markers, such as lipase and creatinine, are used in different contexts. Lipase primarily indicates pancreatic damage or inflammation, while elevated creatinine levels are associated with kidney function rather than heart issues. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in allergic responses and parasitic infections, thus not relevant to assessing cardiac injury. The specificity of troponin for cardiac damage makes it the chosen indicator in this scenario.