Can blood tests diagnose heart failure? NT proBNP Facts

B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP, is a hormone that your heart makes. BNP and NT-proBNP are made when the pressure inside the heart goes up. 

blood test for heart failure BNP & NT-proBNP

  In heart failure, pressure in the heart goes up. When heart failure starts or gets worse, levels go up. When heart failure is stable, levels go down.  Heart failure and other heart problems may be linked to NT-proBNP levels. Most of the time, people with heart failure have higher BNP and NT-proBNP.

NT-proBNP role in heart failure

People with congestive heart failure may have several symptoms, such as swelling and trouble breathing. But these signs can also be caused by other diseases besides heart failure. BNP and NT-proBNP tests can help determine if a patient’s symptoms are caused by heart failure or something else.  People who have already been diagnosed with congestive heart failure may also be checked out with BNP and NT-proBNP tests. In these cases, tests may be given to determine how bad the disease is and how it is likely to progress. 

NT-proBNP indication

If you have heart failure signs, your cardiologist may give you a BNP or NT-proBNP test. If you’ve already been told you have heart failure, your doctor might give you a test to learn more about it.  These are the main signs of heart failure: 

1. Trouble breathing or trouble getting enough air. 
2. Legs, ankles, or stomach swelling.
3. Fatigue.

BNP vs NT-proBNP

BNP and NT-proBNP test results provide different values. Most of the time, doctors use NT-proBNP testing to monitor heart failure patients. 

NT-proBNP preparation

To prepare for the test, you don’t have to fast or do anything else. You need to give a blood sample for a BNP or NT-proBNP test. You can get this blood sample from a vein in your arm. In an emergency, a small needle can be used to prick your finger to get a blood sample for quick testing. 

NT-proBNP normal range

Based on the Reference Range, an average level of NT-proBNP is Less than 125 pg/mL for people between 0 and 74 years old. Less than 450 pg/mL for people between the ages of 75 and 99. 

what is a dangerous NT-proBNP level?

The following levels of NT-proBNP could mean you have heart failure.  Patients under 50 years old with more than 450 pg/mL.  Patients 50 and older should have more than 900 pg/mL levels. 

Other causes of raised NT-proBNP

In addition, other health conditions can cause NT-proBNP levels to be elevated.  Examples of these conditions include: Kidney failure.  Pulmonary hypertension: Elevated blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood to the lungs.  Sepsis is an extreme response to infection.    Your BNP and NT-proBNP levels can also be affected by your age, sex, body weight, and genes. Because of this, your doctor will look at your lab reference range and age when determining your test result. Video explaining about NT-proBNP