How is NSTEMI typically diagnosed?

NSTEMI, or Non-ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction, is typically diagnosed by the presence of elevated cardiac biomarkers, particularly troponins, without the associated ST elevation seen in other types of heart attacks, particularly STEMI (ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction). Troponins are proteins released when the heart muscle is damaged, and their elevation indicates that there is myocardial injury occurring, which is characteristic of NSTEMI.

In NSTEMI, the ST segment on an electrocardiogram (ECG) may show other changes, such as ST depression or T wave inversions, but importantly does not show the elevation in ST segment that is a hallmark of STEMI. The absence of ST elevation in conjunction with elevated troponin levels helps to differentiate NSTEMI from other forms of acute coronary syndromes.

While increased heart rate can occur in many conditions, including NSTEMI, it is not a definitive diagnostic criterion for this type of heart attack. Similarly, echocardiograms, which can provide information about heart function and structure, are not exclusively used for diagnosing NSTEMI. They may support the diagnosis or provide additional information, but elevated troponins are the critical marker for confirming