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Also known as creatine kinase, or creatine phosphokinase.

This test measures the level of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase, or CPK, in the blood.

CPK is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle.
When muscle tissue is damaged, CPK can leak into the bloodstream.
The test is usually done to see if muscle has been damaged or a heart attack has occurred.

To measure the amount of CPK in the blood, a blood sample is taken from a vein on the forearm or hand.

Normal levels of CPK in the blood range from about 35 to 190 units per liter.