BNP Test for Heart

BNP stands for Brain Natriuretic Peptide or b-type natriuretic peptide which is produced in the ventricles of the heart. BNP test for heart is performed to measure the level of the chemical compound BNP in your blood. The amount of BNP in blood is very low if you have a healthy heart. BNP levels in blood start rising when the heart becomes weak. The body starts exhibiting the symptoms of an inefficient heart. Thus, BNP blood test helps assess heart health.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide Test

Shortness of breath, especially on exertion, rapid heartbeat, increased fatigue, edema (accumulation of fluid), are some of the main congestive heart failure symptoms. These symptoms are also seen in lung diseases. Performing a simple blood test and measuring BNP level helps detect whether you are suffering from congestive heart failure or some other problem. A healthy heart beats slowly while pumping blood to body organs. A weak heart has to work harder (beat faster) to pump the required quantity of blood. More the heart labors, more is the production of BNP in the ventricles. So, if higher BNP levels are detected, then it suggests that the person might be suffering from congestive heart failure. Sometimes, in an emergency room, doctors suspect heart failure and in that case they may order an urgent BNP test to know whether the person in crisis is suffering from heart failure or some other health complication. For someone who is already diagnosed with congestive heart failure, the test helps evaluate the effect of treatment. The test helps find out whether irregular heartbeat or breathing difficulty is an indication of heart failure.

Results of the BNP Test for Heart

You can get BNP test results quickly as it is a simple blood test. BNP is a protein hormone which plays an important role in regulating the circulation. It promotes dilation of blood vessels and excretion of salt and water through kidneys. Thus it helps lower blood pressure and in turn helps reduce the heart's workload. BNP helps reduce stress on heart. When the heart is under siege, BNP levels increase. But you should not panic if you get positive results. There are chances that the results are false positive. And the diagnosis of heart failure can be confirmed after undergoing other tests like echocardiography. Certain drug therapies, kidney diseases can lead to a rise in levels of BNP. Besides, along with aging, an increase in BNP levels is noticed. So, BNP test results need to be interpreted carefully.

Normal Range of BNP in Blood

If BNP value is less than 100 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter) then you don't have to worry. It does not indicate congestive heart failure. BNP values greater than 400 pg/mL indicates that there are 95% chances of having heart failure. BNP level between 100 pg/mL and 400 pg/mL requires further investigation. Normal BNP level can be between 0.5-30 pg/mL.

BNP testing for heart failure is thus helpful in determining heart health and designing proper treatment. Today, there are more than five million Americans who are diagnosed with congestive heart failure and statistical reports show that 550,000 new cases are detected each year. Though the name 'heart failure' is horrifying, one should keep it in mind that even the end stage of congestive heart failure can be treated.