[Sternum fracture and troponinism after forced inspiration].

Elevated troponin is frequently interpreted as acute coronary syndrome, yet it may reflect non-ischemic myocardial injury. We report a 79-year-old woman presenting with acute dyspnea and chest pain following forced inspiration, found to have a spontaneous sternal fracture and marked troponin elevation without ischemic ECG changes or significant ventricular dysfunction. The case highlights the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing non-STEMI from secondary troponin elevation in the setting of chest wall trauma and emphasises the need for careful clinical assessment in elderly patients.