BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) is a substance that is secreted from the heart. It comes from the lower chambers or ventricles and is present when there are changes in pressure that indicate a heart failure diagnosis has either developed or progressed. As the condition of the heart worsens, then BNP levels will rise. When the heart stabilizes, then BNP levels will begin to decrease.
The BNP blood test is used to help reduce the amount of clinical indecision that happens with this particular health issue. In the past, determining the extent of a person’s heart failure was difficult, which made the development of a specific treatment plan equally difficult. Measuring BNP levels provides an accurate look at the heart more than 80% of the time and reduces indecision by over 30 percentage points.
When the BNP Blood Test Is Needed
The BNP blood test will help a medical provider be able to distinguish whether the symptoms are due to heart failure or another condition. It can also help doctors determine if heart failure has become worse or if a change in treatment needs to happen. Depending on the results, the decision to hospitalize may also be made.
When To See a Doctor About the BNP Blood Test
It is possible to have heart failure and not have any symptoms. The range of symptoms associated with the condition may also be mild or severe in nature. These symptoms can also change as BNP levels increase or decrease. In general, however, the severity of symptoms is typically related to the weakness of a patient’s heart.
A heart that is weak will create fluid that backs up into a person’s lungs. This creates a shortness of breath that may occur while even at rest. It may also make it difficult to breathe when lying down. A dry, hacking cough can be an indication that this is happening.
Fluid retention isn’t just reserved for the lungs. Edema can happen in the ankles, legs, and abdomen as well. It may also cause an unexpected weight gain. There may be an extreme need to urinate during the night. If edema isn’t treated, the fluid can actually break through the skin and cause weeping that can lead to other health issues.
Rapid heartbeats, irregular heartbeats, and dizziness are also common. The muscles will feel tired or weak because they aren’t getting enough oxygen. It is possible for all of these symptoms to be happening at once or for none of them to happen at all.
What Do the BNP Blood Test Results Mean?
The BNP blood test only takes about 15 minutes to complete. Once the blood draw has been completed, it will be run through a machine at the laboratory that can determine the overall BNP level in the sample. Based on what the results are, a medical provider can begin making decisions about how aggressive a treatment plan should be and what a patient’s future prognosis happens to be. Test results are reported in pg/ML in most laboratories and are expressed as a number.
- Normal levels of BNP are below 100. This indicates that no heart failure has occurred.
- When BNP levels are 300 or below, then this is an indication that heart failure is present in some form. It may have just occurred or the heart may have stabilized after progression.
- Levels above 300 indicate that mild heart failure is currently happening. Levels above 600 are considered to be moderate heart failure, while levels above 900 are considered an indication that severe heart failure has happened.
How To Treat Heart Failure
The first line of treatment for heart failure is usually lifestyle changes and medication administration. When it progresses, certain surgical options may also be available to extend a person’s quality of life. Heart failure medications include aldosterone inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics. Potassium and magnesium supplements may also be recommended.
Avoid alcohol and stop smoking. Try to achieve a healthy weight if necessary. Keep cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure controlled.
If the condition continues to progress, then a heart transplant may be considered if no other therapies generate a response.
Always check for changes in fluid status and report retention or shortness of breath. Make sure regular doctor’s appointments are scheduled so that any progressive heart failure can be caught and treated quickly. Part of that process is the BNP blood test. Make sure that all doctors on the treatment team are notified of this test’s results so co-existing conditions can be effectively treated as well. This will help to maximize the health potential of the heart.