B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) details
What B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) shows
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone released by the heart's main pumping chambers when they are stretched or working harder than usual. It helps the body get rid of salt and water and relaxes blood vessels. Your doctor may measure it when you have symptoms such as breathlessness, tiredness or swelling in the legs, to help assess whether heart failure could be involved, or to follow known heart failure over time. A higher level generally points to more strain on the heart. BNP also rises with age and with kidney problems and can be lower in people with obesity, so it is interpreted alongside your symptoms, examination and other tests.
Tests that include B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
This test measures the level of BNP in the blood, which can help diagnose heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, heart muscle thickening (left ventricular hypertrophy), heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), and issues after heart artery widening procedures (coronary angioplasty). High BNP levels can also indicate high blood pressure, lung blood pressure (pulmonary hypertension), lung injury, too much fluid in the body (hypervolemic states), chronic kidney failure, and liver cirrhosis. If BNP levels decrease, it may show that treatments for high blood pressure are working.
- B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Measures BNP, a hormone released by the heart when it is under strain, used mainly to help assess and monitor heart failure.
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