Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP)
Reviewed
Also called: BNP test, NT-proBNP test, Brain natriuretic peptide test, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide test, B-type natriuretic peptide test, N terminal proBNP test
Natriuretic peptide tests measure the amount of BNP or NT-proBNP proteins in a sample of your blood. They are mainly used to help confirm or rule out heart failure in people who have symptoms.
Specimen: blood
Why this test may be ordered
- To help diagnose or rule out heart failure in a person who is having symptoms, especially shortness of breath.
- For people already diagnosed with heart failure, to find out how serious their heart condition is, predict the chances that their condition will get worse, or check if an increase in symptoms means that heart failure has gotten worse.
- In certain cases, to monitor the heart health of people who have had a heart attack or have a heart condition that suddenly reduces blood flow to the heart, such as unstable angina.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for this test.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. This usually takes less than five minutes. If you're being tested in a hospital, you may have a fingerstick test. Your finger will be pricked with a small needle and a few drops of blood will be gathered for testing.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
The meaning of your test results will depend on your age, sex, medical history, family history, and the results of other tests. Ask your provider to explain what the results say about your health.
- Normal: Normal results on a BNP or NT-proBNP test usually mean that you are unlikely to have heart failure. Limitation: If you have obesity, your weight may make your levels lower than they really are. If your provider still suspects heart failure, you may have other heart health tests even if your levels are normal. Next step: Your provider may order other tests to find out what's causing your symptoms.
- Higher than normal: Higher than normal levels of BNP or NT-proBNP mean that you could have heart failure. In most cases, the higher the level, the more serious your heart failure may be. Limitation: Other conditions can also cause high levels, such as kidney failure, other types of heart disease, and certain lung disorders. Next step: Your provider will probably order other heart health tests to help make a final diagnosis.
- A BNP or NT-proBNP test alone cannot diagnose the cause of your symptoms.
- If you have obesity, your weight may affect the accuracy of your test results, making your levels lower than they really are.
- Other health conditions can increase BNP and NT-proBNP levels, including kidney failure, other types of heart disease, and certain lung disorders.
What to do next
Your provider will explain what your results mean and may order other heart health tests to help make a final diagnosis.
- What do my BNP or NT-proBNP test results say about my health?
- How may this information affect my treatment?
- Do I need any other tests?
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP)