Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid method for the detection of ischemic states and to a kit for use in such a method. Provided for is a rapid method of testing for the existence of and quantifying ischemia based upon method of detecting and quantifying the existence of an alteration of the serum protein albumin which occurs following an ischemic event; methods for detecting and quantifying this alteration include evaluating and quantifying the cobalt binding capacity of circulating blood, analysis and measurement of the ability of serum albumin to bind exogenous cobalt, detection and measurement of the presence of copper in a purified albumin sample and use of an immunological assay sepcific to the alterated form of serum albumin which occurs following an ischemic event.