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The diagnosis of myocardial infarction primarily relies on the evaluation of troponin levels alongside changes observed on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Troponin is a protein found in cardiac muscle that is released into the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart tissue. Elevated troponin levels are a specific marker indicating myocardial injury, making it a crucial component in diagnosing myocardial infarction.

Additionally, ECG changes can provide immediate information about the heart's electrical activity and can reveal abnormalities that indicate ischemia or infarction, such as ST-segment elevation or depression. The combination of these two assessments allows healthcare providers to confirm the presence of a myocardial infarction with a high degree of accuracy, guiding subsequent treatment decisions.

Other testing methods, such as a complete blood count or lipid profile screening, while useful in evaluating overall health or cardiovascular risk, do not offer specific information about acute myocardial infarction. A chest X-ray may help identify other complications or differential diagnoses, but it is not a key diagnostic tool for myocardial infarction itself. Thus, the use of troponin levels and ECG changes is the standard approach for diagnosing this critical condition.