A BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) blood test measures levels of a hormone your heart releases when it's working too hard, primarily used to diagnose and assess heart failure by checking if symptoms like shortness of breath are heart-related. Higher BNP levels signal that the heart isn't pumping effectively, helping doctors distinguish heart failure from lung or kidney problems, guide treatment, and monitor its success, often with rapid results in emergency settings.
What it is
-
-
A hormone test: BNP is a protein (hormone) made by your heart and blood vessels.
-
Heart's stress signal: When your heart struggles to pump, it releases more BNP into the blood to help relax blood vessels and reduce strain.
-
A hormone test: BNP is a protein (hormone) made by your heart and blood vessels.
Why is it done
-
-
Diagnose heart failure: It helps confirm if symptoms like breathlessness or swelling are due to heart failure.
-
Assess severity: It indicates how severe the heart failure is and predicts future risk.
-
Monitor treatment: It shows if treatment for heart failure is working (levels go down) or getting worse (levels go up).
-
Diagnose heart failure: It helps confirm if symptoms like breathlessness or swelling are due to heart failure.
How it's done
-
A standard blood sample is drawn from a vein, often from the arm.
- It's a quick test, sometimes available with a finger prick, especially in emergency rooms.
- It's a quick test, sometimes available with a finger prick, especially in emergency rooms.
What the results mean
-
-
Low levels:Generally, under 100 pg/mL suggests no heart failure, though this can vary.
-
High levels:Higher numbers indicate a greater chance of heart failure, though conditions like kidney disease can also raise levels.
-
A similar test for NT-proBNP, a related substance, offers comparable information.
-