Blood test could rule out heart attacks

A simple blood test could rule out heart attacks in patients complaining of chest pain and “dramatically” reduce unnecessary admissions to hospital, scientists have found.

British researchers said the high sensitivity test could rule out a heart attack diagnosis in nearly two thirds of people who arrive at A&E departments, meaning they could be sent home without needing to be admitted.

Acute chest pain is one of the most common causes of hospital admissions and is responsible for 1m visits to A&E wards in the UK, according to the study published in the Lancet medical journal.