A Creatine Kinase (CK), also known as CPK, test measures the level of the CK enzyme in your blood. This enzyme is found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscles. When muscle cells are damaged or stressed, CK levels rise. Doctors recommend this test to detect conditions such as muscle injury, heart attack, muscle inflammation (myositis), rhabdomyolysis, or other disorders affecting the heart or muscles. It is commonly ordered when patients experience muscle pain, weakness, cramps, or unexplained fatigue.

For the CK test, a small blood sample is collected from a vein, and no fasting or special preparation is required, unless advised by your doctor. CK levels help monitor muscle-related diseases, track recovery after injury, and assess the effects of medications that may impact muscle health, such as statins. The test may also be done along with CK-MB or Troponin tests when evaluating heart-related conditions.