BNP blood test results explained If you already have a diagnosis of heart failure, the results can help your doctor find out whether heart failure treatments are helping treat it. Generally, BNP levels below 100 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) are considered normal.
What causes BNP to be high?
Increases in BNP levels may be caused by intrinsic cardiac dysfunction or may be secondary to other causes such as pulmonary or renal diseases (e.g., chronic hypoxia). BNP tests are correlated with other measures of cardiac status such as New York Heart Association classification.
What to do if BNP is high?
How to Bring BNP Levels Back to Normal. When levels are above the normal range, doctors usually lower them with medication. Your doctor may prescribe ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, or diuretics to help.
What is a critical BNP level?
Critical value: BNP: >400 pg/mL (heart failure likely)
How long can you live with high BNP?
The surprising thing is that the short-term and long-term risk of death at an extremely high BNP value were significantly increased: 53.8% mortality in 3 months, 69.2% in 2 years and all patients died in 5 years, which was observably higher than the other groups.
What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?
There are four stages of heart failure ( Stage A, B, C and D ). The stages range from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure,” and provide treatment plans.
How high is too high for BNP?
BNP levels go up when the heart cannot pump the way it should. A result greater than 100 pg/mL is abnormal. The higher the number, the more likely heart failure is present and the more severe it is. Sometimes other conditions can cause high BNP levels.
What is normal BNP for elderly?
Based on your results, your doctor can choose the best treatment plan for you. A normal level of NT-proBNP, based on Cleveland Clinic’s Reference Range is: Less than 125 pg/mL for patients aged 0-74 years. Less than 450 pg/mL for patients aged 75-99 years.
Does BNP increase with age?
BNP levels increase with age in normal populations free of ventricular dysfunction. Age and LV hypertrophy independently contribute to elevation of BNP. Some contribution to these elevated levels may be attributed to reduction in glomerular filteration rate and mild diastolic dysfunction.
What are the signs of worsening heart failure?
Signs of Worsening Heart Failure
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
- Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.
- Weight gain of five pounds in one week.
- Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.
- A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking)
What level of BNP indicates heart failure?
Experts agree there is a healthy range for BNP levels. The cut-off point can vary by laboratory, but commonly, this range is less than 100 picograms of BNP per milliliter (pg/ml) of blood. This means that a result of more than 100 pg/ml indicates the possibility of heart failure.
How quickly does BNP change?
It has been shown that decreasing BNP levels are correlated with a decrease in wedge pressure [35]. BNP is rapidly cleared due to the shorter half-life (20 minutes) than the inactive form of NT-proBNP.
What does a BNP test indicate?
This test looks for the hormone BNP in your blood. BNP stands for brain or B-type natriuretic peptide. It’s made inside the pumping chambers of your heart when pressure builds up from heart failure. The test is an important tool for healthcare providers to diagnose heart failure quickly.
What foods should be avoided with congestive heart failure?
5 Foods to Avoid When You Have Heart Failure
- Salt (Sodium) When you have heart failure, you absolutely must avoid salt.
- Potato Chips. Potato chips represent a classic “worst food” for people with heart failure because they’re high in both fat and sodium.
- Wine.
- White Bread.
- Water.
How do you interpret BNP?
What do the results mean? If your BNP or NT-proBNP levels were higher than normal, it probably means you have heart failure. Usually, the higher the level, the more serious your condition is. If your BNP or NT-proBNP results were normal, it probably means your symptoms are not being caused by heart failure.