Why is cpk high

CPK levels can also be high after strenuous exercise, so your doctor may wish to recheck your CPK after several days of rest. If your CPK is high with no exercise or remains high with rest, your doctor may order additional tests to determine which type isoenzyme of CPK is elevated. Certain medications, such as statins, can cause increases in CPK, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you currently take. Certain drugs such as cholesterol lowering drugs statins can damage muscle and elevate CPK.

Other causes are alcohol, viruses, hereditary conditions. Finally CPK can be elevated in certain autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation in the muscle such as polymyositis or dermatomyositis.

However, because you are having symptoms, you should be evaluated. Founded in , the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins is dedicated to providing quality education to patients and healthcare providers alike.

When the total CPK level is very high, it most often means there has been injury or stress to muscle tissue, the heart, or the brain. Muscle tissue injury is most likely. When a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. Finding which specific form of CPK is high helps determine which tissue has been damaged. The pattern and timing of a rise or fall in CPK levels can be significant in making a diagnosis.

This is particularly true if a heart attack is suspected. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. Factors that may affect test results include cardiac catheterization , intramuscular injections, trauma to muscles, recent surgery, and heavy exercise.

Borg K, Ensrud E. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. You don't need to prepare for this test. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use. Search Encyclopedia. Creatine Kinase Blood Does this test have other names? Why do I need this test?

What other tests might I have along with this test? These tests include: Other blood tests Electrocardiogram ECG to measure the electrical activity of your heart Because levels of CK may rise if you have a thyroid problem, alcohol abuse, or kidney failure, your healthcare provider may also order tests to look for these diseases. What do my test results mean? How is this test done? Does this test pose any risks? What might affect my test results?