The natriuretic peptide blood test refers to a group of tests that measure the levels of natriuretic peptides in the blood, primarily B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).
These peptides are hormones produced by the heart that help regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
What is the purpose of b type natriuretic peptide blood test
- The primary use of the natriuretic peptide tests is to help diagnose or rule out heart failure in patients with symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, fatigue, and rapid weight gain.
- These tests can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in patients already diagnosed with heart failure and to assess the severity of the condition.
- Elevated levels can indicate a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with other heart-related conditions.
What are the Types of Natriuretic Peptides
There are two types of natriuretic peptide hormones.
- B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
- N-terminal Pro b-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP)
BNP produced by the ventricles of the heart. Levels rise when the heart is under stress or stretched, commonly in heart failure.
On the other hand, NT-proBNP is a precursor molecule that is cleaved to produce BNP. NT-proBNP levels may remain elevated longer than BNP levels, providing useful information in certain clinical scenarios.
Natriuretic peptide blood test procedure
- A blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm.
- The sample is analyzed for levels of BNP or NT-proBNP.
- Result value
- Results: Low levels typically suggest that heart failure is unlikely.
- Normal Values. BNP: Normal values can vary by age and laboratory, but generally, levels below 100 pg/mL are considered normal for BNP.
- NT-proBNP: Normal values can vary widely; levels below 300 pg/mL are often considered normal, but thresholds may differ based on clinical context.
- Elevated Levels: Higher levels indicate a likelihood of heart failure, although they can also be elevated in conditions such as: Kidney disease, Pulmonary hypertension, Atrial fibrillation.
Both BNP and NT-proBNP tests measure markers related to heart function, but NT-proBNP is a different part of the BNP molecule and can be useful in different contexts.
NT-proBNP may be more commonly used in patients with kidney disease or other complicating conditions.