Test could predict high blood pressure, experts say

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A blood test commonly used to confirm heart attacks could have a new use.

A team at Johns Hopkins University used the Troponin T test to predict who would develop high blood pressure.

Heart cells release Troponin T when heart muscle cells are damaged.

Researchers say a more sensitive version of the test could pick up slight damage done by spikes in blood pressure years before a person's pressure is elevated all the time.