Preliminary research shows the test is highly accurate in showing which heart patients had heart attacks when they exhibited the symptoms.
The test detects changes in an enzyme known as troponin, which leaks from the heart muscle into the blood whenever heart cells are damaged.
The test is being developed by the Swiss drug company Roche.
Further research is being done at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.
It isn't known when the new test might be available for use in hospitals.