What are the reasons for Serum CPK increase ?

Question

What are the reasons for Serum CPK increase ?

Answer 1

The most common cause is muscle damage.  This can be any musle including the heart and indicates death or damage to muscle cells.  Of course, trauma to muscle such as caused in a car accident or sports injuries will elevate CPK.  Other causes are certain medications, certain illegal drugs, certain genetic problems, myositis (inflammation of the heart), alcohol, and viruses.  Because of the large number of causes that are not uncommon occurrences, elevated CPK is not necessarily going to be a cause of extreme concern.  If the CPK is up, other tests should be done and a careful physical exam including symptoms the patient is having need to be considered.