Elevated Creatine Kinase: Causes

What causes elevated creatine kinase?

Elevated creatine kinase levels are present when there is destruction of cardiac or skeletal muscle. Creatine kinase levels can also be increased in brain injury, such as stroke. The elevation is detected through a simple blood test.

Causes of elevated creatine kinase

Elevated creatine kinase may be caused by conditions including:

• Brain injury
• Delirium tremens (severe alcohol withdrawal)
• Muscle diseases such as dermatomyositis, polymyositis or muscular dystrophy
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Myocarditis (infection of the middle layer of the heart wall)
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle destruction)
• Stroke
• Trauma

Questions for diagnosing the cause of elevated creatine kinase

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your elevated creatine kinase including:

• Are you experiencing any other symptoms?
• Do you have any chest pain?
• Have you sustained any recent injuries?

What are the potential complications of elevated creatine kinase?

Because elevated creatine kinase can be due to serious underlying diseases or conditions, failure to seek treatment can result in significant complications and even permanent damage. Once your doctor has determined the underlying cause of your elevated creatine kinase, it is very important to carefully follow the recommended treatment plan in order to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

• Brain damage
• Disability
• Heart failure

References:

CK. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ck/glance.html. Accessed May 22, 2011.

Creatine phosphokinase test. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003503.htm. Accessed May 22, 2011.